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BROTHERS 


A NOVEL 


BY 

IRVING REKLAW 



BROADWAY PUBLISHING COMPANY 
835 Broadway, New York 



Copyright, 1914 

BY 

Broadway Publishing Co. 



APR 30 1917 


©CI.A4G2175 


INTEODUCTOEY 


i 


To those who would read the great book of life, 
with its countless thousands of lights and shadows, 
is this book especially commended. But if you 
would read and see only that which is superficial, do 
not read further. 

To those who do look beyond the material, the 
soul of Geraldine, and the trusting, wonderful love 
of Seepa Zata, will be understood and appreciated, 
while to others ^^Brothers” will be but a sensual 
record of passion and pastime. 

To you, good woman, who are happy and satis- 
fied in your great love for your husband, and which 
shields you and keeps you pure and loyal, — to you 
I say : Judge not, lest ye be judged,” for you know 
not of temptations. 

THE AUTHOE. 


3 






CONTENTS 


CHAPTER 

I. 

^^Molasses Catches More Elies Than 

PAGE 


Vinegar” 

7 

11. 

Introducing Mr. Noble Van de Wa- 



ter 

14 

III. 

Further Introducing Mr. Noble Van 



de Water 

18 

IV. 

The Gibsons 

22 

V. 

Yamo-No-Uchi 

29 

VI. 

^The Lady in the Moon” .... 

36 

VII. 

Seepa Zata 

47 

VIII. 

Forest Magic 

59 

IX. 

The ^^House of Aladdin” Modern- 



ized 

67 

X. 

^^Nymph of the Dance” .... 

75 

XI. 

The Storm 

87 

XII. 

The Cave 

95 

XIII. 

An Indian Maiden’s Love .... 

101 

XIV. 

Geraldine’s Soliloquies 

115 

XV. 

Paul Gibson’s Soliloquies .... 

122 

XVI. 

Au Eevoir 

127 

XVII. 

Convalescent 

134 

XVIII. 

‘^Weighing Anchor” 

141 

XIX. 

New Acquaintances . . . . . . 

148 


5 


Contents 


CHAPTER PAGE 

XX. Molybdenum 156 

XXL The Camp 163 

XXIL Clouds and Sunshine . . » . .176 

XXIII. The Magic City ....... 183 

XXIV. The Building of a City 188 

XXV. Gathering of Shadows 194 

XXVI. The Way of the Transgressor . . . 201 

XXVII. Home-coming 209 

XXVIII. Brothers 215 


6 


BROTHERS 


CHAPTER I 

‘^MOLASSES CATCHES MORE FLIES THAN VINEGAR.” 

It was late afternoon of a rather cool spring day 
that the fast disappearing sun shone on a much 
mud-bespattered man sitting on one end of his 
traveling bag in the center of the railroad track, 
waiting for the west bound “Transcontinental Lim- 
ited” to carry him into the city of Butte, the me- 
tropolis of Montana, and the world-wide known 
mining camp. 

There was nothing in that particular locality 
which would indicate the “Transcontinental Lim- 
ited” stopping in the midst of the rough rolling, 
scrubby timbered country, only the huge water tank, 
and where he had been told that all trains stopped 
for water. 

He had motored forty miles across country over 
wet muddy roads to catch this particular train and 
his hat, overcoat and shoes were liberally covered 
with mud and he was very much disturbed by his 
general personal appearance. But the thought of 
an appetizing dinner well served, the hot bath and 
Tonsorial Artist’s services which he would be able 
to obtain and the neatly cleaned, well pressed cloth- 
7 


'Brothers 


ing which would be returned to his drawing room 
in the morning, greatly reassured him, and he was 
just settling down to take things easy, while wait- 
ing for the train, when it occurred to him what a 
lonely place it was in which to he alone. 

He had dismissed the chauffeur and the car had 
started on its return trip from whence it came, and 
which was the home of a small mining camp some 
forty miles across the country on another line of 
railroad and where he had been on important busi- 
ness. 

But, he was not alone! As he came further up 
the track in order to be near the Pullman, he noticed 
four men at the water tank as he passed. The more 
he thought of these four men, however, the less he 
thought he cared to make their acquaintance. In 
fact, the more he thought of them, the less desir- 
able they seemed to be, as he remembered, from a 
casual glance given them as he passed, they were 
exceedingly tough looking characters. 

The country, at this time, seemed to be overrim 
with desperate characters and there had just re- 
cently been several bank robberies. He was there- 
fore a trifle nervous. He had, however, no particu- 
lar fear of any trouble from that direction as the 
time was fast approaching for the arrival of the 
‘‘Transcontinental Limited,’’ if it were on time, but 
a few minutes later as a light engine whistled thru 
from the west and knowing that it was fifteen miles 
to the next station east where the light engine would 
have to pass the Limited, he knew he was going to 
be delayed for some little time. The four men at 
the tank evidently knew the same and it was not 
8 


'Brotbets 


many seconds after the light engine passed before 
the tallest and largest man of the party started to- 
ward the now anxious and startled man, as it was 
a desolatei place and four to one was not to his 
liking. He did not much relish the thought of pos- 
sibly being murdered by these desperadoes, and his 
body being thrown midst the scrubby timber and 
immensely thick undergrowth, where it might never 
be discovered. He had immediately divined their in- 
tention of robbery and he slipped his very valuable 
diamond ring into the top of his shoe, crowding it 
well dowQ, when he first saw the man approaching. 

The ruffian drew near, and as he came up accosted 
the man sitting on the traveling bag, saying roughly 
as he eyed him carefully : 

^^Stranger, what time might it be 

The man on the traveling bag replied, in the same 
tone : ^^DonT know, Pard ; ain’t got nothing but a 
tin watch that don’t keep no time!” 

Looking ferociously at his intended victim, he 
asked: ‘^Got any whiskey?” 

^^Hope, ain’t got a damn drop ; wish I had — ^would 
like a drink myself; I’m as dry as a fish out of 
water I” 

The ruffian eyed him suspiciously, and with an 
oath, walked on. 

The man on the traveling bag gave a sigh of re- 
lief. He had no means of self defense and again 
he thought: ^‘What a fool to have dropped into 
such a hole as this without a gun!” However, he 
decided that, if they had really intended to hold 
him up they would all have come out and had the 
job over with at once, but no sooner had he come 
9 


'IBrotftets! 


to this conclusion, a second man started toward him. 
A sinister looking individual and altho a smaller 
man than the first, he was none the less dangerous 
looking. He came up at once and in his brisk, rough 
manner, asked the identical questions as the first 
man and upon receiving practically the identical 
answers, he turned upon his heel, and, cursing, rap- 
idly retraced his steps. 

Ho sooner had he gone when number one returned 
and passed the man on the traveling bag without 
as much as a look or a word. After a short con- 
sultation with his comrades, the two started hack 
together, and as the man on the traveling bag saw 
them approaching, he said to himself : ^^Glad there 
are only two; I will try a little diplomacy first 
and if that does not work I will have to fight for it.” 

He had not many seconds in which to consider 
the matter and as they approached he looked at his 
muddy shoes and coat, thought of his three days’ 
growth of fiery red heard on his generally clean 
shaven face, chewed ferociously at an unlit cigar 
until the tobacco juice ran from the corners of his 
mouth over his chin, and as the two came up he 
pulled his mud-covered Stetson well down over his 
eyes and looked up into the faces of the two men 
with a huge welcoming smile, as he said : 

^Well, hoys, what’s up ?” 

The large expansive smile and hearty greeting 
rather surprised the two men, hut the taller one 
touched him on the shoulder and stepped hack a 
pace as he covered him with a gun and said : 

^^We have decided to go through you, so shell out 

10 


OBrotljcrs: 


and do it damned quick! And mind, no funny 
business goes, savvy?’’ 

The man on the traveling bag looked into the blue 
steel barrel of the automatic revolver and back into 
the faces of the two men, still smiling as he said: 

‘^Well, now that’s alright boys, you can have 
everything I’ve got but I am afraid you would be 
poorly paid for your trouble. I would advise you 
to wait just about forty-eight hours, and then you 
would get something worth while!” 

The two men looked at him in amazement. 

^^What’s your business?” demanded the taller one 
— he who held the gun. 

^‘Same as yours, I reckon,” promptly replied the 
man with a huge grin. 

The two men looked at each other and the gun 
dropped. 

The man with the wide bland smile saw that he 
was gaining ground and also time. If that train 
would only come ! How late it was he did not know, 
but he figured that if it met the light engine at the 
next town east, it would not be many minutes be- 
fore it should arrive. 

^ Where do you operate ?” asked the spokesman of 
the pair — the shorter man remaining absolutely 
silent. 

^^All over and everywhere,” replied he of the gen- 
erous smile, “and by the way, I need you two men. 
I like your frame-up and your nerve. Come with 
me to-night! Get on the train when it comes! I 
happen to know the conductor; he’s a pal of mine. 
I haven’t a damned cent to pay your fare but I’ll 
fix it with the Con so you can ride just the same,” 
11 


TBtotfiew 


taking a couple of blank cards from his vest poc- 
ket and making illegible signs and characters on 
them. In the lower right-hand corner he signed 
them ^^Ked’’ and as he handed one to each he said: 

^The Con will understand and these will take 
you to Butte! My partner is there and we have 
a five or six thousand dollar job lined up for to- 
morrow night. It’s an old tin box that we can blow 
to Hades in thirty minutes. That’s why I am here 
at this particular isolated spot to catch this particu- 
lar train. I have several more jobs in sight and 
I need you two men. You see i?s my business to 
locate these jobs and I need good men to look after 
the other end of the business.” 

^^Who have you worked with before?” cautiously 
inquired the big man. 

^^Deveraux,” promptly answered the still smiling 
man; ^^you know Deveraux, of course; he operated 
extensively in Northern Minnesota last year, but he 
was nabbed, the poor devil, and is now in the pen. 
I was his most confidential man. Johnson’s my 
name. Red Johnson. The boys all call me ^Red’ I” 

The look that the two men gave each other, as 
the one put up his gun, reassured the man who still 
retained his careless position on the traveling bag 
and his one thought was : ‘Tf that train would only 
come!” But he knew he must keep up his flow of 
conversation and he had started to tell them of a 
job he had just located across the country and which 
would be ^^ripe” and ready to pluck in about ten 
days or so and as he talked the ^Himited” whistled, 
in the distance — ^the sweetest music that he had ever 
heard. 


12 


'Btotftetfii 


Cautioning his two newly made ^Tals,” to be sure 
to get on the smoker, he said: 

don’t know your names and don’t want to know 
them. I will christen you right now. You,” indi- 
cating the taller, ‘^are to be known to the gang as 
‘Iron-side Waffles,’ and you. Shorty, as ‘Buck-shot 
Pete’ !” Telling them that he would come ahead to 
the smoker immediately, and give them all the 
“dope” on their first job, he started them toward 
the water tank to board the smoker when the train 
should stop. 

His heart beat like a trip hammer now that the 
suspense was over and his broad smile disappeared. 
As the Limited, with its powerful brakes grinding 
glistening sparks from the wheels, and as he swung 
himself on to the Pullman, the ebony colored porter 
opening the vestibule door for him, he congratulated 
himself on having been able to handle rather a deli- 
cate situation quite satisfactorily, and a few mo- 
ments later as he was comfortably located in the 
drawing room of the gorgeous Pullman midst the 
rich plush upholstering of the richly carved and well 
appointed “Palace on Wheels,” he thought of the 
wonderful contrast from a short time previous, and 
laughed lightly to himself. A few seconds later as 
the train was signaled down and it came to a dead 
stop, he knew that his two “Pals” were being ejected 
from the train, and laughing aloud, he said to him- 
self: “Truly, molasses catches more flies than 

vinegar.” 


13 


CHAPTER II 


INTEODUCING ME. NOBLE VAN DE WATEE 

Hoble Van de Water was a man exceedingly well 
tbouglit of by himself, as well as by his many friends 
and acquaintances. 

Hot generally thought to be handsome, — ^true he 
was quite generally thought to be exactly the oppo- 
site, and in fact, with his bright red hair, partially 
bald and rather dome shaped head, sandy complexion 
and exceedingly large nose, he was not ‘^good look- 
ing’’ and, as remarked by one of his women acquaint- 
ances, he was so ugly that he was really attractive! 
However, to offset all these above mentioned un- 
pleasant things said of Hoble Van de Water, was 
his much talked of sterling character, his affability 
and his extremely polished, easy, pleasant manners 
and ever present smile. His exceedingly courteous 
and yet reserved manner won him many friends, 
and no one knew this fact better than Hoble Van 
de Water. 

He also knew that a reasonable amount of fine 
tailored clothing was one of the very best assets 
a good business man could possibly possess and, for 
that reason, his wardrobe was always complete and 
correct, sartorially speaking. Therefore, Hoble Van 
de Water with his six feet two of height and his 
14 


'25toti)Cts 


one hundred and ninety eight pounds of avoirdu- 
pois, his general athletic build and appearance, al- 
ways well groomed, dressed suitably for every occa- 
sion, courteous, pleasing manner, and his adapta- 
bility for conversation upon almost any subject, was 
a very pleasing person to meet and the aforesaid 
bright red hair, partially bald, rather dome shaped 
head, sandy complexion and exceedingly large nose, 
were immediately forgotten after a few moments’ 
conversation. 

Noble Van de Water had the confidence of the 
business world in which he was associated and was 
known to be a first class, conservative, business man. 
Alwaj^s slow to decide important questions, his 
judgment was good. At a certain Directors’ meeting 
at which he was presiding he was called upon to 
decide an important question and after deliberating 
a few moments asked to be excused for a moment, 
and gaining the coat room donned overcoat and hat 
and dashed out into a blinding mid-winter snow 
storm to walk, and think over the very important 
question. When he returned two hours later, at one 
o’clock in the morning and stalked into the Commit- 
tee Room, without removing his outer garments, cov- 
ered from head to foot with heavy wet snow, to the 
consternation of the tired, infuriated, waiting com- 
mittee-men, he had arrived at conclusions as to a 
mode-of-procedure which later on was acknowledged 
by all interested, and as was proved by subsequent 
events, to have been the only way out of a very 
grave difficulty. 

Thus it was with Noble Van de Water; while slow 
to decide important questions, his dilatory tactics 
15 


T5rotf)er0 


were generally acknowledged by all who knew him 
to be essential for bis mature deliberation, good 
judgment and wise decisions. 

king among men,” be was called by many of 
bis friends. Tbe Tbrone may be as l^apoleon said 
^^Only boards covered with velvet,” but birtb, breed- 
ing, travel, training, opportunity and extensive ex- 
perience belp to make a critical and discriminating 
gentleman of culture. 

b^oble Van de Water was a natural born traveler. 
Tbe click of tbe Pullman car wheels was music to 
bis ears. 

He bad brushed elbows with tbe Hew York mil- 
lionaire, tbe Southern planter, tbe Texas and Mon- 
tana Cattle Kings, as well as tbe cowboys and also 
tbe Indians of tbe Crow, Blackfoot and other reser- 
vations of Montana and Washington, and tbe Hava- 
jos of Arizona; tbe Greasers in Mexico where be 
bad extensive mining interests, and also tbe lumber- 
men of tbe great Hortb woods and tbe immense 
forests of Washington and Oregon. 

He could adapt himself to any occasion or sur- 
roundings. As much at home in tbe saddle on tbe 
western sage brush plains and tbe mountains of tbe 
great west as in tbe midst of a refined Hew York 
social gathering. 

He was a so-called self-made man and from tbe 
time when as a small boy be ^ole tbe quince jam 
and luscious pies from the shelves of bis mother’s 
cupboard, and later on sawed tbe runners from bis 
expensive new sled with which to make ^^Shinny- 
sticks,” which said ^^shinny-sticks,” by tbe way, bad 
been denied him, and still later on refused to ride 
16 


IBtotfiew 


a bicycle with which to carry his paper route be- 
cause, as he said, he wanted a ^^pony that was alive,” 
he was forever pushing himself upward. The lesson 
of hard work, study and incessant activity as the 
price of success was early in his life impressed upon 
him, and it w^as to this, in a measure, that he owed 
his large vision and his wonderfully tremendous ca- 
pacity for work. 

From the time when, as a small boy, he had heard 
a traveling lecturer remark that ‘^Molasses catches 
more flies than vinegar,” — ^that, by the way, being 
the only part of the lecture which he did remem- 
ber, or probably even heard, he had made it a prac- 
tice always to be polite, courteous and affable, and 
to keep quiet and smile while others raved and 
stormed, and thus it was that when he found him- 
self in the most peculiar predicament with the hold- 
up artists he was able to extricate himself so dex- 
terously and without any great annoyance to him- 
self. 


17 


CHAPTEE III 


FUETHEE INTEODUCING ME. NOBLE VAN DE WATEE 

At the age of thirtj-four ISToble Van de Water 
was still a bachelor. He bad given himself np so 
completely to business that be bad never taken time 
to think of marrying, and which was a source of dis- 
appointment to a great many feminine hearts, who 
had looked upon Noble Van de Water with much 
favor, but his impenetrable armor had held them 
aloof. Likewise, many designing mothers had laid 
plans for their daughter to marry the Van de Water 
fortune, as Noble Van de Water, while not a mil- 
lionaire, was amply supplied with ‘^this world’s 
goods” — ^most of which, by the way, he had himself 
accumulated and it was generally conceded by all 
who knew him, that his fortune would grow into 
the millionaire class very rapidly. 

His dilatory tactics had saved him many a time 
from investing where he afterwards learned would 
have been a loss, and his careful conservative judg- 
ment made him many a dollar. His fortune was 
principally invested in lumbering interests, mines 
and ranching, and valuable farm and other lands 
thruout the west and northwest. 

Among his most thought of earthly possessions 
was his ‘‘YAMO-NO-UCHI,” as he had christened 
18 


TStotljets! 


it — a Japanese name signifying ^^Home in the 
Mountains,” which was situated in the Cascade 
Mountains in almost the extreme northwestern part 
of the United States and a few miles below the 
Canadian boundary line. A rough, mountainous, 
heavily timbered country and with very few inhabi- 
tants, except a few bands of Indians who loved it 
because of its numerous wild game and fish, and its 
mild climate and chinooks. The chinook winds of 
the Japan current, so called, saved poor Lo a great 
amount of exertion in the way of gathering fuel 
and no one could have a dislike for labor anything 
akin to the much heralded, so called, ^^Uoble Ked 
Man!” However, Noble Van de Water did not 
choose this particular site for his mountain home 
because of its being near the Indians, as there are 
certain portions of the west where the Red Man is 
not looked upon with particular favor, or because 
of its labor saving qualities, much less for its mild 
climate; but because of its rare beauty and its gor- 
geous snow capped mountains and ragged ravines, 
which he loved, and over and thru which he liked 
to roam shooting wild game, and catching beautiful 
trout from the swift mountain streams. 

His Mountain Home consisted of a large tract of 
timbered lands, and in the most appropriate place 
accessible he had built a very remarkable and im- 
mense modern log bungalow, and whenever his fancy 
so dictated and he could spare the time he sojourned 
there in peace and quiet. 

The bungalow consisted of a large living room, 
numerous sleeping apartments, — as Noble Van de 
Water enjoyed entertaining his many friends, — 
19 


'15tot|)et0 


dining room, den — used principally as an office, and 
a well appointed kitchen. 

Venison, bear steaks, and even young cub bear, 
were common on his table at Mountain Home, in 
season, and likewise wild duck, geese and pheasant. 

The beautiful Kainbow Trout were also much in 
evidence, and ISToble Van de Water had never ex- 
perienced better enjoyment than when entertaining 
his men friends at his bungalow, in the mountains. 
The electric lighting came from the nearby ever rush- 
ing mountain stream which had been ^ffiamessed’^ 
by a plant installed by Van de Water. Hot and 
cold running water was supplied by the hot, and 
also cold springs on the mountain side — the supply 
being constant, invisible and inexhaustible. Heated 
by the hot springs, the hot water was run thru the 
house in concealed pipes and nicely silvered radi- 
ators, and there were also numerous fire places for 
use whenever the inclemency of the weather re- 
quired, or the fancy of the occupants desired. 

There was a large spacious open porch, or ter- 
race, with bright red tiling floor supported by a 
huge white concrete wall which formed a border 
around the two ends and front of the bright red tiled 
floor. Also there was a sun room, which was really 
a large glazed piazza, containing a spacious fire-place. 

On the outside of the bungalow the immense fir 
logs were left in their natural state, and being sawed 
flat on the other three sides, thus allowing them to 
fit together smoothly and also left a smooth sur- 
face on the inside for the tinted plastered walls and 
paneled wainscoting. The immense roof was of 
bright red tiling, the color corresponding with that 
20 


IBrotfter^ 


of the terrace floor, and could be seen from a dis- 
tance when ascending the mountain road leading to 
the bungalow. 

There was a suggestion of Oriental coloring and 
contrast in the heavy, strong and closely woven wire 
fence — also painted white; the huge white concrete 
wall beneath the bungalow of brown fir logs and 
the immense bright red roof, nestling in the hol- 
low of the green mountain side. The background 
of snow-capped peaks in the distance and the dense 
green forests also added to this suggestion. 


21 


CHAPTER lY 


THE GIBSONS 

Paul Gibson was several years bis wife’s senior. 
He was a stout, heavily built man with muscles like 
steel. His complexion was swarthy, his hair was 
jet black, with the same color eyes set close at either 
side of his flat snub nose. His square head set on 
square shoulders testified to solidity, precision and 
determination. 

His face and jaws were also square and he looked 
every bit the determined man he was. Altho short 
of stature, he had long powerful arms, with heavy 
wrists, hairy as the arms of an ape, and also his 
moustache and eyebrows were extremely black, heavy 
and bushy — ^both of which seemed to be always stick- 
ing the wrong way, and his moustache had an un- 
usually stubby, wiry appearance. 

He had built up an exceedingly large business 
which was known as ^^The Continental Transfer 
Co.,” of Hew York City, and he usually had large 
contracts hauling immense heavy steel girders and 
columns for construction work, huge loads of brick, 
rock, cement, lumber, plate glass and material of all 
kinds for the building of Hew York’s so-called sky- 
scrapers. 

He also usually had city, state and government 
contracts for the city, state and government build- 
22 


IBrotSers 


ings, employing several hundred men and using sev- 
eral hundred head of draft horses and likewise a 
great number of immense, powerful motor trucks. 

Five years ago Paul Gibson had been married to 
a beautiful, refined, highly educated girl of twenty. 
Her friends could never fathom the reason why the 
talented Geraldine Morrison should choose this par- 
ticular man for her husband. They did not at all 
seem suited to each other, from any point of view, 
they apparently being so vastly different in every 
way. Suffice it to say: they were married with the 
understanding that they occupy entirely separate 
apartments until such time as by mutual consent 
they could do otherwise. His beautiful girl wife 
wanted time in which to accustom herself to the new 
conditions and £e readily granted her wishes in the 
matter as he had every other wish expressed by her. 

Paul Gibson was an exceptional man in a great 
many respects. His word was as good as his bond, 
and when once given would never be broken. He 
was proud of his young, beautiful and talented wife 
and was happy in knowing that she was admired 
by their many friends. He liked to entertain and 
have his delightful home filled with guests, and 
altho he knew of the great admiration many of his 
men friends bore his wife he never doubted, and 
indeed he never had occasion to doubt, his wife’s 
loyalty to him. 

Mrs. Paul Gibson treated all alike ; no one could 
ever say that they were favored in any way in the 
least respect, and thus she had the highest regard 
of all who knew her. 

The only thing that ever bothered Paul Gibson 

23 


Igrotfterg 


regarding his domestic affairs was the fact that he 
had no children, for he dearly loved them and would 
have greatly enjoyed his own, but he had almost 
despaired of ever having his wishes in this respect 
gratified and came to the conclusion that he would 
have to be happy without them and he experienced 
instead great pleasure in procuring for his beautiful 
wife everything, and more, that she could possibly 
wish for. A grand home, with all that the words 
^^grand home’’ could possibly signify, with all its 
appointments. Saddle horses, as she dearly loved 
horse-back riding and rode most beautifully! A 
beautiful driving team, and an Electric — the Elec- 
tric, however, was too slow to please her fancy and 
she preferred the luxurious touring car with the 
chauffeur to manage it. She enjoyed motoring with 
her husband as he was very entertaining and had 
many pleasant ways and as a friend she enjoyed 
him, but somehow she could never imagine any closer 
relations between her husband and herself. 

They had been in the habit of taking extensive 
trips every year and two years previous, when tour- 
ing the southern states, met, in Mexico, a western 
man whom Paul Gibson enjoyed very much and be- 
came greatly attached to. Their chance acquaint- 
ance ripened into friendship and when they parted, 
after a two weeks’ acquaintance, a promise had been 
given by the western man, who happened to be Noble 
Van de Water, to visit them in their New York 
home the following holiday time. 

The visit was made and a plan laid out, before 
the guest departed, for the party of three to meet 
the following July and spend their summer vacation 
24 


i5totbtt$ 


together on and around the ITorth Michigan Lakes, 
which they accordingly did to the satisfaction and 
extreme pleasure of all concerned. 

The following holiday time, again, found Van de 
Water the guest of the Gibsons and many elaborate 
functions were given in his honor. He left Hew 
York regretfully but with the promise from Paul 
Gibson and his wife that they would come west the 
following summer, as his guest, and with the under- 
standing that he would meet them at the entrance 
of Yellowstone Hational Park and after a week or 
so in ‘‘Wonderland’’ they would go to his Moun- 
tain Home in the Cascades and remain the balance 
of the month. Van de Water had told them of the 
many beautiful sights there ! Of the plentiful wild 
game and of the mountain streams abounding with 
beautiful trout. And thus it came about that when 
the appointed time came the party met, but before 
entering the Park a telegram was received, sum- 
moning Paul Gibson back to Hew York. 

Consternation was apparent on Van de Water’s 
face and Mrs. Gibson’s disappointment was only too 
plain to be seen. 

“Why Gibson!” exclaimed Van de Water, “you 
folks cannot go back now ! Remain, at least, a few 
days while we tour the most interesting portion of 
the Park; I do not see how I can let you go then, 
but, if you must, we will have to make the best of it.” 

Hoble Van de Water was plainly more disap- 
pointed than his words implied, if such was pos- 
sible. 

Mrs. Gibson joined her entreaties, endeavoring 
to persuade her husband to remain, at least three 
25 


'Btotl)er0 


or four — or five days, but Paul Gibson, quick to 
arrive at decisions, replied, as be shook his head, 
^^E’o, I will return to JSTew York; it is quite neces- 
sary that I shall do so, believe me, otherwise I would 
not go. I had anticipated such a pleasant time on 
your mountain estate. Van de Water, but I shall have 
to forego that pleasure for the present, at least. How- 
ever, Mrs. Gibson need not return; there is no rea- 
son in the world why she should not finish the trip 
just exactly as planned.” 

Amazement shone plainly on Van de Water’s face, 
but as he started to try and persuade his friend to 
reconsider, Paul Gibson continued: 

should like to have her; it would do her worlds 
of good to remain away from Hew York during the 
hot weather!” 

JSToble Van de Water was certainly placed in a 
very peculiar and embarrassing position; he could 
not be discourteous, and he could not show unhos- 
pitality by asking, or requesting, Paul Gibson to 
take his wife with him! Recovering himself and 
looking at Mrs. Gibson, he said: 

^^Certainly I shall be pleased to escort Mrs. Gib- 
son thru the Park and also entertain her at Moun- 
tain Home to the best of my ability and only re- 
gTet, Gibson, that you cannot also be a guest at 
Mountain Home. I had planned on your being 
there and have everything in readiness for your 
comfort, pleasure and happiness.” 

Two hours later the Hew York man of business 
had started on his long journey and within a few 
hours Mrs. Paul Gibson and Hoble Van de Water 
were in ^Wonderland.” 


26 


TStotfiets! 


He looked after her with every care, securing for 
her the best of accommodations at every stopping 
place, and being sure that she saw every point of 
interest. The wonderful geysers, the Paint Pots, 
Yellowstone Lake and the wonderful Falls, and the 
thousand and one interesting, and unusual, sights to 
be seen there, and enjoying everything to its full; 
hut Mrs. Gibson seemed anxious to leave for Moun- 
tain Home in the Cascades and therefore they only 
remained in the Park five days. 

Upon their return to the Park entrance Van de 
Water found a telegram awaiting him, announcing 
the safe arrival in Hew York of Paul Gibson, and 
in which were greetings and best wishes for their 
happiest of vacations at Mountain Home in the Cas- 
cades. 

The most satisfactory route to Mountain Home 
being via Seattle, Van de Water secured a draw- 
ing room for Mrs. Gibson, while he took an ordi- 
nary berth. 

During his wakeful hours at night, which were 
many, he studied and pondered over the actions of 
his friend, Paul Gibson, but at the end of the jour- 
ney he was as far as ever from solving the problem. 

At Seattle they changed roads and the trip up 
the Horth Coast, as the road runs parallel with the 
water for some distance, was enjoyed immensely by 
Mrs. Gibson and far more than the much longer trip 
on the other line of road. 

The salt waters of Puget Sound, stretched in 
bland beauty to the westward, was no more blue 
than the sky, and the brilliant coloring of the whole 
scene was cunningly softened by the huge masses 
• 27 


'IgtotSctg 

of snow capped mountains in the far distance — ^the 
Olympians. 

The sea-gulls circled, in the distance, round and 
round, some of them coming near the shore, and 
occasionally swooping down on the unwary fishes 
which their keen eyes perceived in the waters be- 
neath; then up again they soared, swaying their 
graceful long wings and uttering at irregular inter- 
vals their peculiar mournful cry. 

It was not many hours’ ride to Xedni, the station 
where they alighted, and where Van de Water’s 
luxurious Sixty Horse Power Car was in waiting, 
with the Chauffeur, an exceedingly polite Japanese 
boy who seemed delighted to see his Master, and 
immediately looked after the bags and managed the 
trunks by placing the steamer trunk of Mrs. Gibson 
at the rear of the machine and arranging for the 
others to follow the next morning on the stage, which 
passed near Mountain Home. 

The wait at the station was of short duration but 
afforded her sufficient time to note the magnificent 
scenery and an unusually fine view of the Xedni 
Peaks, — three in number, with chasms and fissures 
filled with snow and here and there a fieecy cloud 
lingering around their rocky crests, standing a full 
mile above the tracks, awe inspiring in their sub- 
limity and grandeur. 

The Powerful Silent Motor moved the car smooth- 
ly and, as the chauffeur rigidly maintained his si- 
lence, Van de Water devoted all his attention to 
his guest as they quietly rolled around the winding 
mountain road toward Mountain Home. 


28 


CHAPTEE V 


YAMO-NO-UCHI 

(Home in the Mountains) 

Mrs. Paul Gibson was delightfully happy and, 
altho she wondered how the Japanese boy happened 
to be at that particular train to meet them, she main- 
tained a discreet silence on the subject. 

Upon entering the roomy tonneau, upholstered 
like a Turkish rocker, she had leaned back against 
the deep cushions and was dominated by a feeling 
of spacious ease and gratifying comfort. 

The drive led over a picturesque and smooth un- 
dulating mountain road. The mountains were for 
the most part covered with a wealth of green timber 
that looked soft and velvety in the distance, while 
others were bold and rocky, — bearing on their 
jagged steeps the scars of many an avalanche. 

The stretch of giant fir, cedar and hemlock trees 
in the foreground, the heavily wooded foothills, thou- 
sands and thousands of graceful ferns of every imag- 
inable variety and the massive towering peaks, with 
fleecy filmy clouds resting on their white snowy 
crests in the background, the silent grandeur of the 
whole scene, the rushing of turbulent mountain 
streams, the exhilarating air from the forest cov- 
ered slopes, all combined to make the environment 
ideal and a picture never to be forgotten. 

29 


'IBrotfietsi 


The distance of twenty miles was soon covered 
and after they turned from the main traveled road 
and as they passed over a high ridge around the 
side of the moimtain, Van de Water called her atten- 
tion to a bright red spot on the distant mountain 
side, with what appeared, in the distance, to be a 
white band underneath, and as the car started down 
again the sight disappeared from view. Van de 
Water explained to her that only a very short time 
would now elapse before they would arrive at their 
destination. 

A few moments later as the car commenced to 
ascend the incline leading up to Mountain Home, 
and as they approached and entered the huge gate 
which swung open at their arrival and closed auto- 
matically, as if by magic, after they had passed 
thru, two beautiful Eussian Wolf Hounds came 
bounding down the driveway. They appeared to be 
very savage animals indeed, but when their Master 
spoke kindly to them they immediately recognized 
his voice and their joy seemed unbounded. Van de 
Water explained that they were known to he the 
best watch, as well as the best hunting dogs in that 
part of the country, and that he valued them very 
highly. He also explained that they were his con- 
stant companions when in the open. They were the 
only companions his care-takers had during his long 
spells of absence and they usually slept in their 
kennels near the care-takers’ lodge which was at one 
side and not far distant from the log bungalow. 

The immense, thoroughly modern, log bungalow 
with its numerous high set broad Dutch windows 
reminded one of a regular fortress, so strongly built 
30 


IBrotljets 


did it seem to be, from huge fir logs, and with 
immense heavily iron bound, thick, rough plank door, 
with massive iron hinges, handle and lock. 

The surroundings were indeed pleasing to the eye. 
The high closely woven enclosure with its numer- 
ous huge white concrete posts, and inside of which 
and running loose on the well kept lawn were three 
beautiful, soft eyed, smooth coated fawns; and the 
Chinese Pheasants, graceful and beautiful of plum- 
age, were also something Mrs. Paul Gibson had 
never before seen. A swing couch-hammock, with 
its gaily colored awning, sat not far distant from 
the porch. Wild mountain flowers were there in 
abundance and the remaining ancient fir trees with- 
in the enclosure were immensely large and their top- 
most branches seemed to reach into the very heavens 
above, the trunks of which were literally overgrown 
with climbing rose bushes and mingling with the 
roses were long sprays of purple clematis. 

Mrs. Paul Gibson was speechless with amazement ! 
The bright red roof, in its expansiveness, supported 
by the tiers of large brown logs and under which 
was the snow white concrete wall and which also 
supported the red tile floored terrace which extended 
the full length of the building, and along the entire 
length of which, and at the outer edge, were set 
long flower boxes from which grew hundreds of 
bright red geraniums; the long row of beautiful 
red flowers contrasting and blending with the whole 
color scheme with wonderful effect. Over all, and 
beyond, were the still taller trees, veritable mon- 
archs of the ages, grim guardians of such forest 
31 


'Btotfiers 


solitudes. Still farther and higher were the snow- 
capped mountain peaks. 

The effect of the strongly built immense bunga- 
low amidst such surroundings was not one of beauty 
alone, but of strength, character and power. The 
purpose of elegance being combined with the evi- 
dence of system and finely ordered arrangement. 

At the rear Van de Water had built an English 
garden wall several feet high, as bears and other 
wild animals were plentiful in this* wild mountain 
country. The garden wall enclosed quite a roomy 
space of ground, in the center of which had been 
built a cement plunge bath, or swimming pool, the 
walls being lined with white tiles and a heavy coping 
of white marble topped the beautiful tiling while 
steps were of the same material. Through the white 
gravel filled bottom bubbled, almost like sparkling 
effervescent champagne, warm water from the hot 
springs below. The overflow ran into a large waste 
pipe which ran thru the substantial granite wall at 
the far end or corner, and was allowed to make its 
escape down the mountain side. 

The garden was a most beautiful sight to behold. 
The plunge being partially surrounded by willows, 
the native mountain flowers were beautiful, the 
American Beauty roses which grew profusely were 
gorgeous and the lawn a velvety green. The few 
remaining ancient firs stretched their limbs toward 
the blue sky, while from short bushy trees hung 
what seemed to be bunches of crimson coral. ISlear 
one comer of the beautiful garden was a clever imi- 
tation of an overgrown toadstool, which looked as if 
it might have been transplanted from a park in 
32 


a5rot!)er0 


NAGASAKI or TOKYO, the imitation being 
worked out by the aid of an old tree stump and 
rustic material for the top which was covered with 
vines and climbing roses, with a rustic seat beneath, 
and to one side was an electric fountain, the various 
streams of which fell over lights of bright and vari- 
ous hues. 

The only entrance into the garden was thru the 
back of the house from the large living room and 
thru a beautiful pergola, with imported light red 
tiling floor and partially vine and rose covered roof, 
from which one could see the sunshine, the sky and 
clouds by day, and the stars and moon at night. 

Van de Water fully realized all the benefits of 
out door sleeping and, while the bungalow contained 
luxurious sleeping apartments with private baths 
and curtained showers, he preferred to sleep in the 
open whenever opportunity presented itself, and 
therefore he had had built at the side of the bunga- 
low and in the pergola a disappearing bed, which, 
upon pressing a button, rolled noiselessly into view 
on rubber tired, ball bearing wheels. 

Van de Water always occupied this bed when at 
Mountain Home unless bad weather prevented, for 
to his out of door sleeping when younger he attrib- 
uted, in a great measure, his splendid health and 
physique, and besides he enjoyed looking up into 
the blue sky at the wonderful stars and the ^Tady 
in the Moon” before sleeping, and it was customary 
with him when awakening in the morning to run 
and jump into the sparkling plunge for a morning 
swim. 

The moment Mrs. Paul Gibson stepped into the 

33 


'IBrotftew 


large living room, she noticed that the furnishings 
and decorations were remarkable in the extreme. Its 
rich and artistically arranged furniture and fur- 
nishings proclaimed the artistic taste of the owner. 
The beautiful polished floor was generously covered 
with bear skin rugs with their mounted heads, which 
included grizzly from the Kockies and white Polars 
from Alaska, and also many beautiful Navajo In- 
dian rugs of various sizes, shades and colorings. 

The light cholocate tinted walls, above the brown 
fir paneled wainscoting, were decorated with numer- 
ous artistically mounted moose, elk and other wild 
game heads — ^trophies of the hunt and a tribute to 
the excellent markmanship of Noble Van de Water, 
while directly above the broad huge fireplace and 
large mantel, which was built of cement and cobble 
stones and was of unusual design, ran a gun rack 
on which glistened numerous gun barrels, it being 
surrounded by a large collection of curiously shaped 
Indian weapons of primitive manufacture, consist- 
ing of arrows and stone arrow heads, highly decor- 
ated bows, and war clubs. On the wide mantel and 
also the plate or narrow shelf apparently supported 
by the brown fir paneled wainscoting, which in its 
soft finish had much the effect of silk, and which 
extended around the four walls of the large room, 
were many curios gathered from all parts of the 
world, including bronze elephants from Japan, vari- 
ous oriental bric-a-brac from New York’s famous 
Vantine, and among the rest and in much evidence 
were Totem Poles from Alaska! Alaska the land 
of Totem Poles and gold mines. Totem Poles and 
Alaskan Indians, Totem Poles and Glaciers and 
34 


'Brot|ber0 


again and again Totem Poles, jand also many valu- 
able ore specimens of copper, silver and gold. 

The immense cement and cobblestone fireplace, of 
unusual design, was surrounded by well filled book 
cases and the large library table occupying the cen- 
ter of the room was well covered with current maga- 
zines. 

A Grand Piano occupied one comer, on which 
was a large beautiful cut glass vase generously filled 
with long-stemmed American beauty roses. Choice 
Japanese panelings were also in much evidence and 
thruout the room were numerous roomy inviting 
chairs, while to one side was an extremely com- 
modious deep, red Russian leather upholstered divan 
loaded with gorgeous pillows. 

Over and above all was the brown fir heavy square 
beams, leaving in huge squares the ivory tinted ceil- 
ing, from which hung inverted lights, the electric 
bulbs being concealed in large alabaster bowls. 


35 


CHAPTEE yi 


^^THE LADY IN THE MOON ” 

Mrs. Paul Gibson was again greatly surprised at 
the luxuriousness of the apartment she found wait- 
ing for her. The white enameled room with its snow 
white Polar bear skin rugs, the four post mahogany 
bed with its snow white fine linen and soft down 
pillows, the dainty mahogany sewing table such as 
in the days of our grandmothers made domesticity 
a delight, and the luxurious mirrored bath room, 
with its marble bath, all showed exceptional taste 
and good judgment. 

Pier trunk followed her immediately and after 
a refreshing bath she proceeded deliberately to dress 
for dinner, the while many thoughts ran thru her 
mind. She had expected to find only a comfortable 
hunter’s log cabin with sufiicient room for three or 
four people, and with ordinary accommodations, and 
here was magnificence itself. She pondered much 
over the actions of her husband and also wondered 
at the versatility of this man with whom she had 
been so strangely thrown, — she found herself think- 
ing things of this man that she had never thought 
before — strange new day dreams. 

As she entered the dining-room she particularly 
noticed the well-appointed table with its damask 
36 


TBrotlJErg 


linen, haviland china, and beautiful sterling ware. 
At either side of the table were two magnificent 
hand-carved, brown Russian leather upholstered din- 
ing chairs, and back of one stood the black silk- 
coated, dark-skinned, placid-faced Japanese boy, 
Sano Saito. 

Roble Van de Water thought he had never seen 
his guest looking quite so beautiful, and, in fact, 
she was indescribably lovely in her low cut, loosely 
clinging, evening gown of soft, turquoise blue, its 
only ornament being the cluster of diamonds at the 
waist line, a trifle to one side. Her face was slightly 
flushed and her soft melting eyes of liquid brown 
looked from under long silky lashes. 

Van de Water noted all this and more, and par- 
ticularly admired the gleaming network of glossy, 
chestnut hair dressed so becomingly. 

The host, dressed in a neatly fitting, freshly 
pressed suit of creme flannel, with pearl gray silk 
hose and white buckskin oxfords, and while show- 
ing a trifle fuller waistcoat than in former days, he 
still retained his athletic build — the man of trained 
pose. 

The sumptuous dinner progressed nicely. Sano 
Saito was an acknowledged Prince of Chefs, other- 
wise Hoble Van de Water would not have had him 
in his services for the past five years or more. Like- 
wise he was past-master of many other trades at 
Mountain Home. He was not only Chef, but waiter, 
housekeeper, gardener, valet and many other things, 
including a first-class chauffeur. True it was that 
there were other Japanese servants there, but Sano 
Saito was their Chief and he it was who taught 
37 


T5t0tbtts 


them their work after their arrival at Mountain 
Home. The pay he received was princely and there- 
fore he was pleased to remain, happy in the thought 
of the time to come when he could return to his home 
country and marry the dainty Japanese girl who 
was waiting for him so impatiently, and bring her 
also to the Mountain Home. 

Hoble Van de Water entertained his beautiful 
guest with a history of the surrounding country and 
told her of the many sights he expected to show her. 
She was deeply interested and showed her apprecia- 
tion by asking a great many questions, to all of which 
he delighted in answering. 

Dinner over, he drew up two large, roorny rockers 
near the library table and they talked of various 
things for another hour, when, at her host’s sugges- 
tion, Mrs. Paul Gibson retired to her apartment, as 
he said he knew the long trip had tired her. He 
assured her that he would call her early as he wanted 
her to witness the beautiful, glorious sunrise to be 
seen there in the mountains of which he had pre- 
viously often told her, saying that he would sleep in 
the pergola where the early dawn would surely 
awaken him. 

The evening light shone through the open high 
windows and cast a silvery soft radiance throughout 
the room, for be it remembered that the Northwest- 
ern part of the United States is not so very far dis- 
tant from Alaska — ^the land of the ^^midnight sun !” 
and the evening light lingers long and late. 

Pisrobing and arranging her hair for the night, 
she retired. The luxurious bed was pleasant and 
restful, and although very tired she found herself 
38 


“Btotfiew 


wakeful. But after midnight she slept and dreamed 
that she heard, again and again, the cry of a hmnan 
voice in the forest! Awakening with a start, she 
heard the cry again 1 Surely that must be the pan- 
ther cry Van de Water had formerly told her she 
would hear in the western mountaius! ]^ow thor- 
oughly frightened, she called: ^^I^’oble!” uncon- 
scious that she was using his Christian name for the 
first time. 

^^Nohle! IToble!’’ she cried, but there was no re- 
sponse. She stepped to the soft white Polar Bear 
skin rug and, on tip-toe, made her way into the liv- 
ing-room where the bright moonlight streamed 
through the copper screened open windows, making 
curious shadows on the many bright-colored Indian 
rugs, and the glistening gun barrels over the heavy 
mantel. 

She forgot that she was in the ‘^fortress’’ looking 
bungalow she saw coming up the drive ! She forgot 
the heavy iron-bound plank door with, its heavy iron 
hinges and lock ! She forgot all this and was frantic 
with fear. She tip-toed to the door leading into the 
pergola and opened it cautiously, as she again called 
^^IToble! Noble!’' 

The garden was flooded with soft mellow moon- 
light and the large full moon, now nearing its zenith, 
threw its rays over the high wall and into the per- 
gola and onto the snow white bed on which stretched 
the form of Noble Van de Water with straight, per- 
fectly formed, strong limbs, and full chest, his hands 
locked over his head. At this revelation of glorious 
manhood her hands pressed her heart to still its loud 
beating as she waited for him to answer her — for 
39 


'Brolftctjg 

him to move — ^but her frightened call had failed to 
awaken him. 

How large and wonderful he was and how splen- 
did ! His thick lashes swept the smooth clean-shaven 
brown cheeks with their healthy color showing under 
the brown skin. 

Standing there, radiantly, divinely, beautiful with 
her glossy chestnut hair hanging far below her waist, 
in her low-cut shimmering gown, with naked feet 
peeping from beneath, she forgot all but the superb 
specimen of American manhood before her. 

All fear disappeared and she stood spellbound — 
fascinated — and gazed in amazement with wide open 
eyes! She forgot everything. She only knew that 
she loved this man dearly, passionately — ^yes, with a 
mad, passionate love, something never before experi- 
enced by the wife of Paul Gibson. A force as ir- 
resistible as the tides had taken up its abode within 
her and she knew that what had long been predes- 
tined had happened: that the wondrous new birth, 
the great revelation, the joyous mystery which comes 
to every happy woman in the world had come at last 
to her and, altho’ she would never admit it to herself, 
the knowledge came to her now with renewed force 
and the warm wave that swept over her lithesome wil- 
lowy body from head to foot left her awe stricken 
for the moment, and she did not again hear the pan- 
ther calls which continued at irregular intervals. 

Van de Water slept on, it was a warm night for 
the mountain country and he had retired without 
covering, only the immaculate sheet being partially 
across him, and being tired from the long journey 
and the wakeful nights he had passed, endeavoring 
40 


'Btotfters: 


to fathom the meaning of his friend Gibson’s ac- 
tions, he was sleeping unusually sound. The fact, 
too, that he had indulged in a half glass of Cognac 
for a little touch of ISTeuralgia which he had experi- 
enced during the afternoon and evening caused him 
to sleep still more soundly. 

Still gazing at the powerful well built man she 
took a step toward him, impelled by an uncontrollable 
force, and apparently unaware of her indiscretion. 
To her awaking womanhood he seemed like a new 
revelation who was overwhelming in his forcefulness. 

She never knew the length of time she remained 
there. The burning intensity of the moments told 
her more than words could have conveyed. She 
knew the truth — she knew that she was close to the 
one grand passion. Quickly and surely the knowl- 
edge was being forced upon her that she could no 
longer, even to herself, play a part. Her weeks and 
months of unconscious self-deception had at once 
been destroyed. She knew that love had come into 
its own. 

He did not stir, but slept on, with regular deep 
breathing, his full chest expanding and contracting 
with each breath. She stepped nearer! Truly it 
must be an exceedingly warm night, as she seemed 
to be burning up ! Her face was suffused and soft- 
ened, her liquid eyes were large and luminous and 
her full lovely lips were trembling. Her heart beat 
with a new motion and the blood throbbed in her 
veins. She tried to recover herself, but in vain! 
She went forward, and stooping kissed his lips 
lightly! He smiled gently, slightly showing his 
beautiful pearly teeth, but did not stir. She kissed 
41 


“BtOtllCtS! 


him again and* his lips responded but he did not 
awaken. She placed her soft velvety hands gently 
on his face and in stooping her person came slightly 
in contact with his! His body thrilled her and as 
she kissed him again his lips responded passionately 
and his strong arms stole softly but firmly around 
her. 


******* 

Hoble Van de Water was awakened by chattering 
inquisitive magpies hopping from tree to pergola, 
and pergola to tree. His first thought was to won- 
der how he became covered so thoroughly with the 
snow-white sheet and soft fleecy woolen blanket! 
He could remember nothing after retiring the even- 
ing before, only the wonderfully pleasant dream he 
had experienced. After thinking a moment he said 
to himself quite audibly, as he afterward remem- 
bered, ^Terhaps it was the Lady in the moon who 
covered me so snugly.” And with a smile he jumped 
to his feet and running to the water’s edge plunged 
in for his morning bath and swim, after which he 
enjoyed the cold spray. 

Running to his room and drying his person with 
huge towels he donned a commodious bathrobe, and 
slippers, and going to his guest’s door rapped gently 
and called : ^^Time for the sunrise ! Better hurry !” 

By the time he was dressed, and had gone to his 
den and written out several telegrams to be tele- 
phoned across country to the Western Union Office 
at the railway station, Mrs. Paul Gibson, fresh and 
beautiful in her soft clinging morning gown, came 


'IBrotljers! 


to meet him with outstretched hands, saying ever so 
softly, ^^Good morning, Noble 

^^Nohle !’’ How sweet the name sounded from her 
lips ! The first time he had ever heard her pronounce 
his first name. He looked at her closely and he could 
not understand the mysterious something that had 
apparently changed his guest, and it seemed to him 
he had never seen her cheeks quite so beautifully 
fiushed, or her eyes quite so soft and beautiful as 
they were this morning. 

He pointed toward the East, where the light, deli- 
cate and mysterious as the distant lights of an opal, 
was gently pushing itself into the sky. The early 
dawn rapidly grew lighter and the sky became of one 
dense uniform rose-color from west to east — soft 
and shimmering as a broad satin ribbon freshly un- 
rolled. The sun was not yet visible, being hidden 
behind the mountain tops, but its rays touched some 
of the highest peaks to the westward in the far dis- 
tance in which banks of snow lay, bringing them into 
nearer sparkling prominence. Now as Noble Van 
de Water pointed to a certain far distant snow-capped 
mountain peak, the beautiful snow-capped cedar 
trees and the rough, ragged ravine cut into the side 
of the great granite mountain at one side, changed 
to the variegated colors of the rainbow and then grad- 
ually to a golden glow. As the sun mounted higher 
and became brighter other nearby peaks underwent 
the same gorgeous transformation. 

Noble Van de Water’s guest stood transfixed as 
she saw the beautiful sight. 

^^Ah! Noble,” she said, as she stood closer and 
placed her hand softly on his arm. ‘^How different 
43 


15tot{)er0 


from anything I have ever seen, or could possibly 
have imagined ! How much more grand ! How much 
more vast! How much more magnificent! I have 
you, my dear friend, to thank for this glorious 
sight.” 

The soft tones of a Japanese gong announced their 
breakfast was served. 

Hoble Van de Water always liked breakfast served 
in the glazed piazza, therefore Mrs. Paul Gibson 
was again surprised upon being conducted there. 
And delighted to find that the windows of the sun 
room looked out upon a tangled yet graceful and 
beautiful wilderness of flowers. 

Two magnificent mounted cranes, white as the 
driven snow, stood guard one at either corner of the 
fireplace, and soft velvety green leaved palms at one 
end partially concealed the aquarium in which swam 
many beautiful, gold and various colored and pe- 
culiar shaped fish from the far distant Orient. Soft 
toned Oriental rugs partially covered the polished 
floor and there were comfortable white fiber chairs 
with cretonne cushions and backs of figured green, 
and sheer hangings of green softened the light. 

The English breakfast table, with its fine damask 
linen, blue breakfast china, and delicate sterling 
ware, with Sano Saito in attendance looked very in- 
viting indeed. 

The morning meal was a quiet one, as both seemed 
thoughtful and serious, but as the breakfast was 
finished and the heavy brass finger bowls were being 
removed, the guest was smiling pleasantly. 

The luscious strawberries freshly picked very early 
that morning by the faithful Sano Saito had been de- 
44 


'Btotfiew 


licious, the thin toast brown and crisp, the omelette 
exquisite and the coffee, with its rich yellow cream, 
beyond criticism. 

Sano Saito brought his Master’s well kept moist 
Havana and hammered brass ash tray, and silently 
departed. 

As Van de Water leaned back in his chair, and the 
curling blue smoke from his Havana rose toward the 
raftered ceiling, he said : 

'^Geraldine — may I call you Geraldine?” and as 
she gave her consent with flaming cheeks and a qon- 
fused sipile he continued : ^‘1 had a strangely beau- 
tiful, vivid dream last night and I do not know that 
I should tell it to you !” She leaned slightly toward 
him as she replied in soft, sweet tones: ‘^Hoble, I 
think I would understand and appreciate anything 
that you might say to me and I am sure that any- 
thing you would say would be pleasant to hear, be- 
cause Well! Just because. A woman’s rea- 

son, you know! But really just because you said 
it!” 

^^You will remember that I have pointed out to 
you and shown you the proflle of a lady’s face in the 
moon! Well, I dreamed of the lady in the moon 
last night !” said Van de Water. “And while dream- 
ing of her I felt a kiss on my lips and it came to me 
that it was the lady in the moon really come to 
earth. I dreamed that I did not stir but waited — 
waited for another and it came — a clinging kiss from 
soft warm moist lips. I think I smiled as I waited, 
not daring to stir, fearing she would not come again 
and as I saw the beautiful lady so far away in the 
moon I almost lost heart, but she came again and I 
45 


‘IBtotfiers! 


caught her and held her in my arms while I re- 
turned her passionate kisses.’’ 

very strange dream,” said his guest, slightly 
paling, but laughingly, as she rose from the table 
and walked into the large living-room and to the 
piano, as she said: ‘‘You must surely be in love 
with the lady in the moon!” Improvising as she 
hummed and sang in her sweet contralto voice, to 
her impromptu music : 

“The Moon; Oh! The beautiful moon; 
Shining forth its silvery light; 

O’er valley and plain. 

Oceans, mountains — ^the same; 

Making the beautiful golden night.” 

iMoble Van de Water, having followed her, stood 
and watched her as she laughingly rose and came 
toward him saying: 

“ISToble, my good friend, what is the program for 
the day?” 


46 


CHAPTEK VII 


SEEPA ZATA 

IToble Van de Water had planned a horse-back 
ride for the morning, and after lunch a Motor trip 
over the winding mountain road. 

He had had sent from one of his ranches three 
beautiful, well broken, and well groomed saddle 
horses, tall and rangy with splendid action. All 
black as a raven’s wing with the exception of a few 
white points on two of them. 

The one assigned to Geraldine answered to the 
name of ^^Sultan.” He had four white stocking 
feet and was as princely an acting piece of horse- 
flesh as one could well wish to see. She went into 
raptures as she beheld her beautiful mount and, no- 
ticing the soft eyes and well pointed ears, exclaimed : 

“Ah ! you beautiful animal !” 

The horse seemed to understand her and with head 
held high, and dilated nostrils quivering, he waited 
for her to mount. 

The horse ridden by Van de Water was also a 
superb animal with no white points whatever and 
answered to the name of “Midnight.” 

The mounted pair as they rode away, accompanied 
by the Russian hounds, was a sight that would have 
been admired on Hew York’s fashionable driveway 
or at a Madison Square horse-show. 

47 


15totJ)et0 


There was a delicious balmy breeze rustling thru 
the tall tree tops, and the soothing odor from the 
firs, cedar and hemlocks was very noticeable and 
delightful. The blue sky was musical with a chorus 
of screeching magpies and other bird calls. They 
started at a brisk pace and soon were winding around 
the mountainside from which the view with its pan- 
oramic sweep of mountains and valley was mar- 
velous in the extreme. 

The rocky summits in the far distance rising above 
wooded slopes were capped with snow, while mid- 
summer conditions prevailed in the valley below. 
The scene was so marvelous ; so magnificently grand, 
that words seemed useless and, as Geraldine seemed 
to he in the mood for quiet refiection, her escort re- 
mained quiet also ; admiring her excellent horseman- 
ship, and noting her great interest taken in the moun- 
tain scenery. 

After an hour’s ride they came to an immense 
opening in the mountainside and Geraldine was fas- 
cinated by the greatness as well by the fierce gran- 
deur of the scene. The rocks appeared to have been 
split violently asunder and huge high walls of gran- 
ite formed an immense passageway thru the moun- 
tain. Beneath the wild cragged walls a gravelly 
beach had formed as if left there by some mighty 
river in ages past. 

Van de Water explained to his wondering guest 
that the place was known as ^^Water-spout Canyon” 
and that it was always comparatively dry, except 
when flooded by cloud bursts in the mountains above, 
and which was quite a common occurrence at certain 
seasons of the year. 


48 


OBrotftetsf 


A few miles further on Van de Water turned 
from the main road into a narrow Indian trail thru 
the forests, in which they were obliged to ride sin- 
gle file, Van de Water taking the lead and he be- 
ing preceded by the hounds. It was not many mo- 
ments before they came to a beautiful lake nestling 
in the mountains. A lake of quite large area, com- 
pletely surrounded by steep ragged cliffs, fed by cold 
springs from below and with no visible outlet. A 
lake in which no bottom had ever been sounded. Of 
ice-cold water and called ^^chase det,’’ an Indian 
name signifying no bottom. 

The steep rugged cliffs surrounding the lake were 
clearly reflected in the smooth olive green surface 
and as the shimmering water was almost under their 
horses feet they saw on its surface the shadows of 
the many rugged cliffs, and every little wisp of 
cloud that sailed the blue sky photographed in its 
depth. Looking into it they saw the world upside 
down, the reflection being as soft and clear as the 
reality. 

There was a peculiar sort of hushed breathlessness 
in the air. So quiet ! So serene ! Nothing was to 
be heard but the slight squeak of the saddle leather 
and the breathing of their horses and the hounds. 

Geraldine was wild with delight. She had always 
desired this sort of thing and there had always been 
the call of the wild within her to a greater or less 
extent. She was highly elated, and in her element 
with the serene, yet wild and extraordinary, view 
confronting her. 

^^Beautiful,’’ she said softly under her breath, and 
then relaxed again into absolute silence. 

49 


■Btotfiecs! 


Fantastic, dream-like lights and shadows played on 
the little rippling waves. Over the high tops of the 
steep rugged cliffs mysterious shapes, formed of gray 
mist, rose high and then crept silently, softly down- 
ward ! a fascinating sight ! There was an old Indian 
legend, which Van de Water told his guest, of a 
beautiful Indian maiden, who had been disappointed 
in love, taking her own life by climbing to the high- 
est peak and jumping into the bottomless lake rather 
than marry an Indian chief whom she did not love. 

Van de Water’s guest turned a shade paler as she 
replied: she thought she could understand how a 
woman deeply in love could do such a thing as the 
Indian maiden had done. 

A few seconds later Van de Water looking at his 
watch was somewhat surprised to see how quickly 
the time had flown, and remarked : 

‘Well, Geraldine, we shall have to ride at a lively 
pace if we do not wish to keep Sano Saito waiting 
luncheon.” 

The Russian hounds took the lead and altho’ it 
was a rapid ride they had back to Mountain Home, 
it was not less enjoyable than the ride out had been. 

A Japanese servant relieved them of the horses 
at the terrace and within a very short time they 
found themselves seated at the English breakfast 
table, but this time it occupied one end of the large 
living-room. 

Laughing and talking of their delightful ride, 
Geraldine’s face appeared more flushed as Van de 
Water’s dreamy eyes rested on her with a look which, 
tho’ he was unconscious of it, spoke passionate ad- 
miration. 


50 


'IBtotijets 


The two hours passed quickly — altogether too 
quickly thought Van de Water, however, he knew the 
evening and many more were before them, and the 
open was also inviting. 

The motor ride was taken in almost an opposite 
direction from the morning ride, hut also over a 
winding mountain road and amidst somber shadows 
of dark firs, hemlocks and cedars. 

The Russian hounds had again accompanied them, 
as was their custom, and seemed immensely to enjoy 
their outing, now and then exploring the dense under- 
growth, which lined the undulating roadway, start- 
ling birds into noisy chatterings and scoldings, then 
again gaining the roadway, stretching their long 
bodies in their swift race to overtake the motor. 

Geraldine had never experienced quite such 
heavenly happiness. ^^What was it she asked her- 
self ! ‘^The exhilarating air 

Van de Water’s entire attention was required at 
the wheel, but he talked entertainingly, while his 
guest sat comfortably back in the wide roomy seat 
at his side, seeing everything — enjoying everything 
to its full. 

The mail for Mountain Home was brought by the 
stage coach and left in a huge mail box at the di- 
vision of the road every other day. The stage coach 
going out from the railway station one day to an 
interior mining camp and returning the next. 

During their afternoon motor trip they had met 
the oldtime heavily strap hung, window enclosed, 
stage coach with its strap-back center swing seat and 
drop steps. The driver, a veteran of the mountains, 
mounted on its high seat with his four-in-hand, his 
51 


15tot&et0 

weather beaten, heavily tanned face looking like 
brown leather. 

The stage coach was a curiosity to Geraldine and 
Van de Water related oldtime tales of hold-ups when 
this same leather tanned driver had risked his life 
many times in defending the valuable mail and other 
packages entrusted to his care. 

Keturning late in the afternoon, they found dinner 
ready to be served. Both were nearly famished, as 
they remarked, and the pheasant, the fresh vege- 
tables from the garden and the full ripe red berries 
— all skillfully prepared and served by the faithful 
Sano Saito, were delicious. 

Dinner over. Van de Water lit his moist Havana 
and together they strolled to the wide terrace, which 
Sano Saito had prepared for them by placing many 
Indian rugs and comfortable, roomy, cushioned. Ori- 
ental fiber chairs. The red tiling of the long ter- 
race was nearly hidden beneath the beautiful Indian 
rugs — the patterns and colors of the harmonizing 
Osage, soft blending hues of the ISTavajo, the famous 
beautiful Swastika of the Poncas, the strongly con- 
trasted black patterns of the Shoshones, and the flam- 
ing zigzag designs of the Kiowas. A truly beauti- 
ful sight — soft and fleecy under foot and all suggest- 
ing ease and comfort and also a different world from 
what Geraldine had ever before known. 

The sun had disappeared behind the mountain tops 
and the western sky was aglow with crimson and gold 
tints which cast a beautiful glow over all. 

Later on as the scarlet geraniums flamed in the 
twilight, and as Van de Water and his guest sat in 
the evening’s soft lingering light they talked of many 
52 


'iBrotftersf 


things and still later as the full moon appeared above 
the mountain tops and rolled fully into view they 
returned to the living-room where Geraldine sang 
delightful songs. Van de Water sitting close on the 
piano bench, and turning the music for her, was 
conscious of an unexplainable joy, and the slight 
movement of her subtle body, from playing, thrilled 
his very being. 

It was an exceedingly delightful evening and one 
of the happiest Van de Water had ever known. 

Alone with this beautiful, talented woman! Her 
rich contralto voice thrilling him! The day had 
been a happy one but he wondered if the evening 
had not been more so. That night he forgot her un- 
usual beauty and remembered only the fragrance of 
her personality. He thought of Paul Gibson over 
three thousand miles away and wondered what kind 
of man he might be to leave such a lovely, wonderful 
woman ! He wondered what could cause himself to 
leave such a woman were she wedded to him. 

As the French clock in Geraldine’s apartment was 
heard to strike with elfin chimes the hour of mid- 
night, he told her of his plans for the morrow, 
which were to motor a short distance up the moun- 
tain road, near a stream, where he had always been 
fortunate in securing a number of fine rainbow trout. 

Bidding her good night, and saying he would call 
her in time for breakfast, he left her at her door and, 
going directly to the pergola, retired, and as he 
watched 'The lady in the moon” thru the partially 
vine and rose covered roof he wondered if he would 
again dream of the fair lady. 

Awaking early the following morning his first 

53 


“IBrotljers! 


thought was that he had slept so soundly that he had 
not dreamed as he did the night previous, and he 
experienced a feeling of keen disappointment. He 
had slept well, however, and as he made for the 
plunge hummed the impromptu music his guest had 
played as she sang: 

^^The Moon: Oh! The beautiful moon; 
Shining forth its silvery light; 

O^er valley and plain. 

Oceans, mountains — the same; 

Making the beautiful golden night.” 

It was a delightful morning. The magpies were 
chattering. The world was waking and soon the sun 
would be brightly shining over the mountains again. 

Van de Water ran and, jumping, dove and swam 
the length of the pool and, turning, had started back, 
when upon hearing a peculiar sound, or noise, he 
partially turned his head over his shoulder, when 
something in the shape of a human being passed 
swiftly over his head and disappeared beneath the 
water. 

Thoroughly alarmed for the moment, he ex- 
claimed: ^^What in the name of heaven was that, 
and where did it come from?” He waited, as he 
tread the water, but it was many seconds before any- 
thing appeared and then a beautiful, raven-haired 
Indian girl’s head and shoulders appeared above the 
water and shaking the glistening water from her 
hair, and showing her beautiful, even white teeth 
thru her smiling, full, red lips, gave him greeting. 

‘^Seepa Zata! For the love of heaven! how did 
54 


T5ratf)ers 


she get here?^’ Were the thoughts that passed thru 
the bewildered brain of Van de Water. 

Seepa Zata was a beautiful lithesome Indian maid 
of twenty whose people lived not far distant from 
the Mountain Home, and who wove beautiful and 
rare rugs, and from whom Van de Water had pur- 
chased several of his choicest designs — one in par- 
ticular having been woven entirely by Seepa Zata, 
especially for him, when she was a child of twelve. 

The rug was soft and fleecy and of beautiful de- 
sign and coloring. The body of the rug being a light 
gray with fleecy white predominating, and in which 
was irregularly interwoven double headed, vermilion 
red, arrows and also other Indian figures in more 
subdued tones — acknowledged by Connoisseurs to be 
the most beautiful and the most artistic Indian rug 
ever woven. 

Van de Water had taught Seepa Zata as a child to 
swim, in this same pool, before there were any con- 
crete walls enclosing it, and before there was any 
garden wall surrounding, and when the willows were 
the only shelter, or protection, for bathers. 

When he taught her to swim he had many a time 
taken her on his back, while she hung tightly, with 
arms clasped around his neck and slim legs holding 
fast around his waist, swam and dove to the child’s 
intense delight. 

Four years had passed since he had seen her, dur- 
ing which time he understood that she was visiting 
distant tribes. 

Van de Water immediately recognized the danger 
of having this beautiful Indian maid in the swim- 
ming pool with him and, at first thought, he was very 
55 




angry, and then, understanding that she did not 
realize the situation, he smiled and greeted her kindly 
and started toward her. But she laughingly swam 
away from him and altho’ Van de Water was an 
expert and powerful swimmer he soon discovered 
that he was no match for this child of the forest. 

She swam away from him and around him laugh- 
ing merrily. She dove and came up near him only 
to elude his grasp and then to swim away, her de- 
lightful, tantalizing laugh floating back to him. 

Van de Water, however, soon made her under- 
stand that he wished to talk to her. He had learned 
the Indian language years before and he soon dis- 
covered that Seepa Zata had only returned the even- 
ing before and, finding out that he was at Mountain 
Home, had decided to surprise him at his morning 
bath. He also learned that his high garden wall 
had not long kept the Indian maid from enjoying the 
warm spring water, as she had removed a portion of 
the granite rock which surrounded the waste pipe 
and over which willows had grown in the particular 
corner of the garden, both in and outside the wall, 
and thru which, by watching her opportunity, this 
light-footed and slender bodied Indian maid had 
come and gone at her pleasure unbeknown, even to 
Sano Saito. 

Thru the sparkling water, clear as crystal glass. 
Van de Water saw her sinuous, subtle, rounded form 
and the wonderful growth and development of this 
beautiful child of nature and he realized that she 
must not come again. But as he tried to explain to 
her, she laughingly swam around, now and then 
56 


1Btot&et0 

touching him lightly on the shoulder with her shapely 
hands. 

A thousand and one thoughts came to Van de 
Water. ^‘What if his guest should hear their voices ! 
What satisfactory explanation could he give her !” 
However, upon second thought, he had little fear of 
that as the log walls were thick, the windows, at the 
rear of the bungalow, were all closed, and besides his 
guest’s room was on the opposite side and she was, 
no doubt, still sleeping. 

They had worked toward the willows and the 
upper end of the plimge where it was more shallow 
and Van de Water was standing looking, with deep 
admiration in his eyes, at this saucy, voluptuous and 
radiantly beautiful slightly copper-tinted maiden, 
when she deliberately came so near she touched his 
body and throwing her arms around him kissed his 
lips passionately! He was exceedingly angry for a 
second, but the soft arms around his neck and the 
warm lips against his own, while she held him close 
with her smooth, shapely strong limbs and the ex- 
hilarating warm water surrounding them, caused 
him to forget himself and to respond by kissing her 
rapturously. As he held her in close embrace with 
his strong arms around her he kissed her warm, full, 
red lips passionately — and lingeringly, again and 
again. 

******* 

He tore himself loose and threw her from hini, 
saying: 

^^My God ! What am I doing 1” 

57 


IBrotijetg 


As he sprang from the pool, and ran, he heard the 
wild soft laugh of Seepa Zata ring out, and he heard 
it again as he closed and locked the heavy door in 
passing thru. 


58 


CHAPTER VIII 


FOREST MAGIC 

The second day promised to be a most beautiful 
one, and as Geraldine stepped into the waiting car, 
with Van de Water at the wheel, she remarked as 
she seated herself beside him. 

^^Ah! Hoble, what a beautiful morning and how 
delightful V’ 

The mountain road was steep in places, and as the 
powerful car ran close to the edge, and as she looked 
down into deep ravines, Geraldine sat closer to Van 
de Water and involuntarily grasped his arm. 

^^Oh! how dreadful and yet how beautiful!’’ she 
said. 

Van de Water reassured her and as they progressed 
she enjoyed the mountain ride immensely. 

As the wheel required all of Van de Water’s at- 
tention and the grandeur of the mountains was too 
vast — too wonderful for Geraldine to talk, there was 
no more conversation until their destination was 
reached. 

As Van de Water gave his hands to Geraldine in 
alighting from the car, he noticed her particularly 
chic appearance. She had donned a fawn-colored, 
sensibly short, velour suit, with high buttoned tan 
boots, and with her soft felt hat worn so becomingly 
59 


'25totj)er0 


and held in place by the soft sheer snow-white veil 
tied in huge bow-knots under her beautiful round 
dimpled chin, with long fluttering ends, she was in- 
deed a most beautiful sight to behold. 

Van de Water’s time had been so taken up with 
the machine that he had not before noticed his 
guest’s appearance, and now he gazed with admir- 
ing eyes which caused Geraldine to color charmingly. 

^^How beautiful you are this morning, Geraldine !” 
was his only comment. 

Taking rod, creel, flies and other Ashing para- 
phernalia, he led her thru thick mountain timber and 
dense undergrowth, over and around the side of the 
mountain to a beautiful rippling stream, an ideal 
place in the immense forest in which to make a 
bivouac. 

He had also brought the robe from the car so that 
Geraldine might make herself comfortable while he 
waded and caught the trout with which he expected 
greatly to surprise his guest by cooking there in the 
forest for their luncheon, as he had instructed Sano 
Saito to place in the car the necessary camp cooking 
utensils. 

Donning hip boots, and wading into the rippling 
mountain stream, the home of the game trout, he had 
no trouble in catching, not only a sufficient number 
for their noonday luncheon, but a goodly number to 
take home with them. 

After placing them at the water’s edge so they 
would keep cool, and replacing the hip boots with 
his less cumbersome foot-wear, he threw himself on 
one corner of the robe near Geraldine and enter- 
tained her by telling her of the magic forest, which 
60 


'IBtotficrs! 


he had studied and loved for many years. The im- 
mense trees hundreds of years old, standing straight 
as a telegraph pole and many of them three and four 
hundred feet high, with one hundred and fifty to two 
hundred feet of space between the ground and the 
lower limbs. 

He also told her of the different Indian tribes and 
their customs. 

Thus the morning passed and limcheon time ar- 
rived. 

Van de Water proved his ability to serve a de- 
lightful luncheon in the forest, as Sano Saito had 
provided him with all the necessaries. 

The silence of the forest was only disturbed by 
the rippling brook, and as they ate their delightful 
lunch in silence Geraldine was very thoughtful. 

What manner of man was this she was with, and 
who was as completely at home in the forest as in a 
Hew York Delmonico or a French Cabaret ! 

She admired him greatly — yes, loved him dearly, 
and had ever since their first meeting in Mexico 
two years previous, altho’ she would never admit it 
even to herself until she found herself in the per- 
gola two nights previous, and then it burst upon her 
and flooded her reason. 

^^Ah! God, what would it bring about? How 
would it all end? Why had her husband brought 
her to him and then turned back and left her on 
such dangerous ground!” 

This and a thousand other thoughts flashed thru 
her bewildered brain as she ate the appetizing lunch. 
Hiowever, she soon cast these thoughts from her mind. 
It was all so perfectly delightful amidst the wonder- 
61 


^rotljer0 


ful immense trees, the silence and grandeur of the 
forest and the presence of this man whom she loved 
so greatly. All so vastly different from anything 
she had ever experienced before that she gave herself 
up to the enjoyment of the moment. 

^^Shall we return home?’’ inquired Van de Water, 
as they finished. 

Geraldine was too interested in the forest, and too 
delightfully happy to desire to return so soon and 
she very frankly told her companion so. 

It pleased Van de Water’s mood to remain and it 
so happened that they remained in the forest and 
passed the afternoon happily together. 

They climbed to the highest peak near, and saw 
the beautiful view of ragged mountains covered with 
the velvety green of fir, cedar and hemlock trees — 
the giants of the forest and, with the aid of Van de 
Water’s field-glass, wild mountain flowers on the dis- 
tant mountainside. 

Descending by a different path, the incline of 
which was more gradual, and when rounding the op- 
posite side of the ravine they witnessed a sight sel- 
dom, if ever, seen by man. 

It was an unusually large Elk and as he stood out 
boldly with widespread antlers, outlined against the 
gray mountain wall, standing like a king in the proud 
consciousness of strength, he awaited the approach of 
the rival coming to dispute his lordship over the 
herd of does. Suddenly, stiffening with anger, he 
sent forth his battle-cry resounding across the valley 
beneath, ready to defend his kingdom in one of the 
fierce, terrible battles for which the animal is noted. 
The sight was indeed grand and inspiring, and to 
62 


'Igtotftetg 

Geraldine one of the most significant she had ever 
witnessed. 

Returning to camp, they waded together in the 
stream, barefooted, after which Van de Water had 
the delightful sensation of buttoning Geraldine^ s 
boots. 

^^Shall we stay for dinner?’’ inquired Van de 
Water eagerly. 

‘Gf you think you can arrange it, and if it will 
not he asking too much of you, IToble, to prepare 
another meal !” mischievously replied Geraldine. 

'G think I can manage, as I believe Sano Saito 
supplied us sufficiently, and it will he no trouble — 
in fact a great pleasure as I really enjoy it, I can 
assure you,” replied her host, and suiting the action 
to the word he set about to prepare dinner. 

The trout broiled over the hot coals to a delicate 
crispness were again delicious, and they finished 
their meal with luscious red berries, which Sano 
Saito had picked early in the dawn, with rich yellow 
cream, and as they did so Van de Water remarked 
that they must now hurry as it sometimes became 
dark very rapidly in the dense forest. 

^^Ah! R’oble, cannot we remain for the moon to 
rise? I would so dearly love to see the beautiful 
moon — the lady, your lady, in the moon,” she said 
as she glanced shyly, from underneath her beautiful 
long lashes, ^Thru these immense trees. Surely we 
can find our way out by moonlight!” 

^^We can remain, hut it may grow chilly,” replied 
Van de Water. ^^However, I can build a fire at the 
base of this large tree and we will be very comfort- 
able, I am sure.’^ 


63 


TBrotfterg 


Eolling up a green back-log, be soon had the fire 
going nicely, and placing the robe on some brakes, or 
ferns, which he had cut and gathered, they sat down 
to watch the camp-fire and to wait for the ^dady in 
the moon’’ to put in her appearance, as Geraldine 
expressed it, glancing again shyly and mischievously 
at her companion. 

They talked of many things, the bright camp-fire 
lighting up their faces, until the full moon came up, 
in all its glorious splendor. It shone thru between 
the trunks of the giant trees, and as it mounted 
higher and higher and shone thru the limbs and the 
foliage it was a beautiful, grand, magnificent sight 
indeed. 

They both enjoyed it and very much regretted the 
necessity of taking their departure. Their camp- 
fire had burned low and there being no danger of 
forest fires, owing to the immense undergrowth of 
green brakes. Van de Water left the fire as it was. 

Misfortune, however, awaited them at the car. 
One of the tires had burst, and as it was useless to 
try to repair the damage successfully before morning 
there would be nothing to do but to spend the night 
in the forest. Van de Water informed her. 

Geraldine was slightly frightened, but upon second 
thought she was highly pleased as she remembered 
how delightful it all was back there beside the camp- 
fire, and she had heard that fire kept away wild 
beasts, and so there was nothing to fear. 

Van de Water found more robes, and also Indian 
blankets, which Sano Saito had thoughtfully placed 
in the car and therefore he knew they would be very 
comfortable. 


64 


TBtotljetg 


Keturning to the now dying camp-fire, he threw 
on fresh fuel, and cutting more brakes over which he 
placed the robes and Indian blankets in front of the 
now blazing fire. 

It was all very cozy and delightful to Geraldine. 
The cheerful blazing camp-fire ; the golden full round 
moon thru the tree-tops, and the rippling and gurg- 
ling stream lit by the moon’s mellow rays, and the 
strangeness of the situation all lent enchantment to 
her mood. 

Geraldine was graciousness itself ! Uncoiling her 
glossy chestnut hair and braiding it into two long 
ropes, the while occasionally glancing, with her soft 
melting eyes of liquid brown, from under beautiful 
long lashes, at Van de Water, her slightly fiushed face 
accentuated by the crackling camp-fire at their feet. 

The lure of the wild had taken possession of her. 
The weirdness of it all! Ecstasies were waking 
within her ! The forest scented pure mountain air ; 
the pervading enchanted mystery and stillness caught 
her fancy and laid a spell upon her imagination 
which stilled the unrest of her very soul. 

could remain here forever and never wish to 
go elsewhere,” she said. 

^‘Geraldine,” said Van de Water quietly, as he 
took her soft velvety hands in his, pressing them 
gently, ^^you are very beautiful and wonderful! I 
know of no greater happiness for me than to he here 
alone, in this wild forest, with you. I am delight- 
fully happy and I owe you much, indeed, for these 
happy days. I have known you for over two years 
and I have enjoyed you and have been far happier 
in your presence than any one I have ever known or 
65 


'Btotfietsi 


could ever meet! I do not know why we should 
have been brought together in this manner, but evi- 
dently for some purpose/’ 

Geraldine smiling, her soft luminous eyes showing 
the complete surrender of her love, and bringing her 
gloriously flushed face closer to his as she pressed 
his hands in return, said: 

^^Dear ISToble, who was it that said — ^von Broech- 
lin, I believe — ^Yesterday is dead — forget it! 

^To-morrow does not exist — don’t worry. 

“ ^To-day is here — use it !’ ” and continuing, 
am all yours and your pleasures are mine!” 

^^And that implies!” asked Van de Water, with 
flushed face and throbbing heart. 

^That I love you,” said Geraldine quietly and 
softly, and with still more heightening color. 

Van de Water quickly released her hands and 
taking her gently in his strong arms rained hot kisses 
upon her hair, brow, eyes and face, and as he held 
her close and still closer, finally upon her beautiful, 
passionate, full ripe, red lips ! 

* * * * * * * 


66 


CHAPTER IX 


THE ^^HOUSE OF ALADDIN” MODEENIZED 

The tire being repaired early the following morn- 
ing, they decided to have breakfast at home. 

Coasting rapidly down the incline, they saw com- 
ing in the distance and around the bend a beautiful 
Pinto Indian pony with rider astride its back. The 
pony came gracefully up the rise and as the car 
glided closer and closer the animal became fright- 
ened and appeared to be quite unmanageable. 

Van de Water applied the brake and as the car 
slowed down and stopped to let the thoroughly 
frightened pony pass on the narrow roadway, Ger- 
aldine saw astride the pony a beautiful, slightly cop- 
per-tinted, Indian girl with long raven hair flying 
loose and with plump bare knees protruding from 
under wind-blown skirts. A face of lovely contour 
which revealed an incredulous surprised look as she 
saw her ^Vhite sister” beside Van de Water. 

It was Seepa Zata! Van de Water waved her 
greeting as she quickly passed and turned to see if 
she remained seated on the bare back of the pony. 

As he loosened the brake and the car again glided 
forward he explained to Geraldine that the child, 
as he called her, belonged to a neighboring tribe and 
that he had known her since she was eight years of 
67 


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age, also explaining to her that Seepa Zata wove the 
most beautiful rug he had in his possession and 
which Geraldine had already noticed and admired. 

Geraldine expressed a desire to have the Indian 
maid at Mountain Home some afternoon during her 
visit there and Van de Water promised to see if it 
could be arranged. 

The distance to Mountain Home was soon covered 
and upon their arrival Sano Saito immediately be- 
came busy preparing their breakfast, and the time 
was only of short duration before they sat down at 
the English breakfast table, in the sun-room with the 
faithful Japanese servant in attendance. 

Sano Saito had wondered much at their prolonged 
absence, and expected some accident had detained 
them; however, knowing the resourcefulness of his 
master he was not alarmed, and the placid face gave 
no expression of any thought whatever except the 
matter at hand — ^that of serving the appetizing break- 
fast which had been so skillfully prepared. 

Hoble Van de Water was in his happiest mood and 
proved a delightful conversationalist during the meal 
and as he looked into Geraldine’s radiant face, he 
was enjoying the greatest happiness he had ever 
known, and he fully decided to make the most of his 
opportunity so unexpectedly thrust upon him. 

He, too, had learned the knowledge that he could 
no longer, even to himself, deny the fact that his 
generous love had gone out to this woman when he 
first met her two years before; self-deception was 
over! He also knew the truth! ‘^Did Paul Gibson 
know it?” He asked himself, but he immediately 
cast this thought from him. 

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TBrotfietss 


Geraldine expressed surprise at the ease and 
smoothness with which the servants at Mountain 
Home accomplished so much, whereupon her host 
promised to show her thru the kitchen and culinary 
department, and also the parts of the house and 
grounds which she had not yet seen. 

Soon after finishing their morning meal and after 
Van de Water had finished his moist Havana, and 
Geraldine had admired the bewildering mass of wild 
fiowers, and also the far distant mountains, from the 
glass inclosed room, he took her into the white enamel 
kitchen — compact in its arrangement of built-in cup- 
boards, recesses, shelves and well equipped pantry, 
all combining for neatness and order; and where 
Sano Saito reigned supreme, and where he explained 
to his guest the workings of the large electric range, 
with its large baking oven and also warming oven 
and broilers. He explained the working of the 
electric dummy waiter from the basement below, and 
also the electric elevator for raising and lowering 
supplies. He lowered themselves to the basement, 
by pressing a button in the elevator cage, where he 
showed her the ice manufacturing plant, the electric 
washing machine and many other modern labor- 
saving appliances, explaining also to her that on 
account of the numerous rushing mountain streams 
throughout the west it was comparatively easy and 
inexpensive to convert the streams into electrical 
power. 

She could hardly believe her senses. This modern 
plant here in the forest ! Surely this was the ^^House 
of Aladdin” modernized ! It was all extremely in- 
teresting and after spending some time in the kitchen 
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15rotf)et0 


and basement Van de Water took his guest to the 
rear to see Sano Saito’s wonderful vegetable garden, 
where two J apanese boys, on their knees, were indus- 
triously working the soft mellow earth up around 
the tender plants. 

The garden was a wonder in itself with its straight 
rows of vegetables of every description, while to one 
side were the small fruits, and also plum, cherry, 
pear and apple trees all systematically arranged — 
the rows with well considered and properly balanced 
spacing showed the seasoned composition sense of 
Sano Saito, whose ancestors, as Van de Water re- 
marked, for generations and generations had laid 
out gardens for their pleasure. 

From there he took her to the garage and also 
the concrete horse stable, in which were the three 
beautiful saddle horses being groomed by a yellow- 
skinned Japanese boy as he used the vacuum-cleaner 
brushes — the vacuum-cleaning system having been 
extended to the stable. Geraldine petted each horse 
in its turn and took great pleasure in smoothing their 
already glossy coats. 

After petting the Russian hounds, and the three 
beautiful smooth coated, soft eyed fawns, and admir- 
ing the Chinese pheasants with their gay and many- 
colored plumage, he led her thru a sun-dappled path 
bordered by radiant bloom and ancient moss-bearded 
firs into the conservatory garden, of which Geraldine 
had not before known, and which she named ‘^Garden 
of Enchantment.” The conservatory was of quite 
large dimensions and there was unquestionably an 
airy spaciousness about the curvilinear-roofed in- 
terior that made it seem still larger. Here also a 
70 


TBtotfiets 


Japanese gardener worked, and Van de Water ex- 
plained to his wondering guest the system of raising 
palms, flowers, grapes and fruit, also vegetables, 
under glass. 

They returned to the house, where he showed her 
thru the other sleeping apartments, including his 
own, which was a counterpart of hers. Sauntering 
to the rug-covered terrace, they seated themselves on 
the swinging hammock with its canopy top of bright 
colors. 

^^Do you know,” said Geraldine, ^Vhat I expected 
to And here?” 

Van de Water^s delightful laugh rang out as he 
replied : 

^W^ell, hardly, hut please tell me, will you ?” 

Geraldine became slightly embarrassed, hut re- 
plied^ with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes: 

‘^To be truthful, I expected to find only a hunter’s 
cabin suitable for only three or four people and with 
no modern conveniences whatever! A rough board 
floor with no rugs! Ham and bacon three times a 
day with canned vegetables and all that sort of thing, 
and here I find instead all the delicacies of the season 
and a palace, luxurious and royal in its rich appoint- 
ments. Quite different, indeed, from what I ex- 
pected to find; there’s no ham and bacon here, is 
there ?” 

Van de Water’s hearty laugh rang out again, and 
Geraldine continued: 

^^You know you never told much regarding your 
Mountain Home ! You said it was a log cabin and 
fairly comfortable, with cold mountain water to 
drink, beautiful sunrises to see and plenty of fresh 
71 


'Btotfters! 


air! and while I find, as you said, plenty of fresh 
air, cold mountain water and gorgeous sunrises — 
all these things, and your home, are so much more 
wonderful than I could have ever imagined.’’ 

Van de Water became quite serious as he replied: 

^^You can never know, Geraldine, of my great anx- 
iety to have you see Mountain Home and spend a few 
weeks here I Altho’ I never for a moment supposed 
I would be so fortunate as to have you here to myself, 
but none the less anxious was I to have you breathe 
the forest air, see the mountains with their beautiful 
shades of green and their wealth of game and fish, 
which I love so dearly, and my home. I felt that it 
was far different from anything you could possibly 
have ever seen, and besides, away down in my heart, 
I knew that I loved you dearly and have known since 
the first time I met you, altho’ I would never admit 
it, even to myself. I have been anxious to know if 
my tastes were not yours — if when you came to see 
my surroundings here you would not fall under the 
spell — ^the lure of outdoor life, as I have, and go into 
raptures as you have !” 

^^Hoble, you are splendid! Your tastes are splen- 
did ! I love everything here that you do — ^the moun- 
tains, the streams, the everlasting velvety green, the 
flowers — ^your beautiful flowers and, as you know, 
your dear self,” replied Geraldine as she drew closer 
and clasped one of Van de Water’s hands in hers. 

Her eyes were sparkling and her face was radiant, 
as Van de Water, coming closer, kissed her tremu- 
lous lips. 

The Japanese gong reminded them that it was 
lunch-time and they regretfully left the comfortable 
72 


TStot&ers! 


swinging hammock for the luncheon, which was 
served at one end of the living-room, as usual. Ger- 
aldine felt the restfulness of the cool shaded room, 
and looking up the full length of it, with its heavy 
beamed ceiling, its walls of mounted heads and rich 
bric-a-brac, its floor covering of many colors which, 
tho’ shaded, contrasted vividly with the dark wains- 
coting and light chocolate-tinted walls, the thought 
again occurred to Van de Water^s guest, ^^This in- 
deed is the Modern House of Aladdin.” 

Upon returning from their afternoon horse-hack 
ride and entering the living-room, Geraldine was 
again delightfully surprised by the numerous, ex- 
ceedingly large, tall Japanese china vases of curious 
designs generously fllled with long-stemmed Ameri- 
can Beauty roses, which Sano Saito had placed 
throughout the room on the floor. Howhere in the 
world does the Queen of flowers flourish in greater 
luxuriance and profusion than throughout the Pa- 
cific coast country. 

^Truly, this is not only the Modern House of 
Aladdin, but the House of surprises as well,” said 
Geraldine, as she sat on the library table, flushed 
from her ride, vigorous and radiant, swinging her 
feet as she unconventionally discarded her hat and 
gloves, while she contemplated the beautiful scene 
before her. 

Geraldine was passionately fond of roses, as Van 
de Water knew, and, as she rushed to the nearest 
vase and clasped the beautiful roses to her breast, 
inhaling their fragrance. Van de Water’s moist eyes 
caused him to turn and walk away toward his 
room. 


73 


'15tot|)er0 


Walking tlie length of the room and also taking a 
turn on the terrace he returned to the library table 
and deeply cushioned, by its side, he read while wait- 
ing the appearance of Geraldine who, after her bath, 
was dressing for dinner. 

That evening, after Van de Water had read aloud 
from one of the latest novels, and Geraldine had 
played and sang delightfully, she laughingly turned 
to Van de Water, as he placed his arms around her 
lovely shoulders, and, kissing her passionate, ripe, red 
lips, said: 

^^Geraldine, dear, come!’’ 

They passed into her gorgeous apartment together, 
where passionate love reigned supreme until extreme 
languor caused them to slumber, each in the arms 
of the other. 


74 


CHAPTEE X 


^%YMPH OF THE DANCE” 

The glorious happy days passed rapidly. They 
had rode and motored; Geraldine was exceedingly 
fond of her saddle-horse, Sultan, and she also greatly 
enjoyed motoring over the winding mountain road. 

They had, as if by mutual consent, tacitly ignored 
any reference to the future ! 

They had fished and waded together in the moun- 
tain streams ; they had climbed over craggy bowlders 
and slippery rocks, sometimes wading waist deep in 
the streams and sometimes stopping to rest while 
they watched the trout leap up the cascades — some- 
times, and quite frequently, falling back, turning glit- 
tering somersaults in the air, only to try and try 
again. 

They had enjoyed together their delightful morn- 
ing plunges in the pool, where Van de Water was 
teaching Geraldine the art of swimming, and she 
proved an apt scholar. 

Van de Water had seen to it that Sano Saito had 
repaired the hole in the garden wall, so there could 
he no further surprise from that quarter, and thus 
the first week had flown altogether too quickly. 

The neighboring Indians had called to pay their 
respects to their ^Vhite sister from the land of the 
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TBrotbers! 


war dance to the accompaniment of their peculiar 
heating of tom-toms and their savage Indian war 
yells and waving of tomahawks and highly decorated 
war clubs. After which they took their departure 
as silently as they came. 

Seepa Zata was to have a birthday, and she had 
been invited to Mountain Home for dinner and to 
spend the evening. Van de Water had had his mis- 
givings regarding the matter, but the arrangements 
had nevertheless been made. 

Sano Saito had been consulted as to decorating 
the pergola suitably for the occasion, with Japanese 
lanterns and whatever else he chose. It was under- 
stood that Seepa Zata was to favor them with an 
Indian dance and song! Geraldine and Van de 
Water were to contribute, in some manner, to the 
entertainment — she to play the piano and sing, and 
he to give an exhibition of Indian Club swinging 
at which he was, at one time, an adept. 

Sano Saito had also promised to give an exhibition 
of muscular contortion and jiu-jitsu, he having been 
an acknowledged athlete in his home country. 

The appointed time had arrived and Seepa Zata 
was expected. Van de Water had speculated much 
in his own mind as to just how the Indian girl would 
act at the well-appointed table, and his heart almost 
misgave him, as he thought of it again, and he men- 
tioned the matter to Geraldine. 

As they sat, in the soft evening light, near the 
library table waiting, the pergola door opened and 
in walked Seepa Zata unannounced ! But stay ! 
Was it Seepa Zata? Hohle Van de Water could not 
76 


TBrotftets 


rising sun/’ and the Indians had been exceedingly 
interesting to Geraldine. Van de Water had known 
of their coming and the huge gate stood ajar to re- 
ceive them. They came in single file, as was their 
custom, with stolid faces void of all expression, 
astride their ponies — ^their bridles being highly deco- 
rated and with beaded collar-pieces. Toy balloons, 
made from bladders of wild animals, blown up and 
highly decorated with various colors, adorned their 
ponies’ tied-up tails. 

The Indians, having recently been on exhibition 
at an Eastern land show, still retained their gorgeous 
costumes, which they wore on this occasion at Van 
de Water’s request. 

With bonnets, and head-dress of gorgeous feathers 
trailing down their backs ; buckskin suits with elabo- 
rate bead-embroidered waistcoats and coats of many 
colors, beaded moccasins adorned their feet, and huge 
rings hung from their ears. The squaws wore their 
peculiar Indian garb, their gowns being of many 
colors and decorated with Indian designs. Their 
cuffs and also capes were elaborately decorated with 
Indian bead work and ornaments peculiar to the 
ideas of the race. Their head-dress was unique and 
beyond description ; huge rings adorned their fingers, 
and strings of tiny shells were worn around their 
necks. 

As they entered the enclosure they formed a large 
circle on the lawn, and Van de Water, entering the 
circle, addressed them in their own language, and, 
after which he gave them all tobacco, and other gifts, 
as was his custom. 

At Van de Water’s request they gave their tribal 

77 


'IBtotftetief 


believe his eyes! Evidently Seepa Zata had some 
way of scaling the garden wall that he knew not of ! 

Surely he had never seen Seepa Zata look like 
this — dressed in a tailored suit of soft clinging blue 
velvet, which showed the outlines of her willowy 
form to perfection, with high-button black boots and 
soft Panama hat ! 

Seepa Zata was the daughter of a half-breed Aztec 
mother of Mexico, and a French father. And in 
citizen’s dress she looked very little like an Indian. 
There was, however, just a slight suggestion of the 
copper coloring, and the high, prominent cheek 
bones. She carried herself straight as an arrow, with 
uplifted chin, and queenly air. Her eyes were large 
and luminous, and her face showed marked intelli- 
gence. 

She hesitated but a moment, and, looking from 
one to the other, walked easily and gracefully toward 
her host, as she said, in beautiful smooth English : 

‘^Good evening, Mr. Van de Water!” 

Van de Water could not believe his senses! How 
in the name of heaven was it that this Indian girl, 
who had never been out of the forest to his knowl- 
edge, could appear before him in this manner, talk- 
ing good English and with the grace and manners 
of a college-hred girl? He took her outstretched 
hand and remained speechless. 

She saw his great surprise, and, turning gracefully 
to Geraldine, said in nicely modulated tones: 

see Mr. Van de Water has forgotten to intro- 
duce us. I am Seepa Zata, and you ?” 

Taking Seepa Zata’s hand in hers, Geraldine said: 

78 




am pleased to know you, Seepa Zata. My name 
is Gibson — Mrs. Paul Gibson.’’ 

Van de Water recovered himself, and, coming for- 
ward, relieved her of her hat and gloves, and they 
were soon seated in the dining-room at the table. 

Seepa Zata showed no sign whatever of embarrass- 
ment or surprise, at the well-appointed and elabo- 
rately decorated table. Her table manners were 
excellent. Talking the while with easy flow of lan- 
guage, explaining that, instead of being away visit- 
ing relatives, as was generally understood, she had 
been attending a government Indian school in the 
East for the past eight years, almost continuously, 
where she had learned English, and in connec- 
tion with all her other studies she had taken domes- 
tic science. She had made with her own hands the 
gown she was wearing, which Geraldine pronounced 
exceedingly dainty and extremely well made. 

Van de Water complimented her highly, and told 
her she certainly deserved much credit and praise. 

H)e asked her, however, how it was that she came 
back to her people and the forest, whereupon she 
replied that she ‘^could not stay away! The fond 
memories of her childhood brought her back. The 
call of the forest and the wild brought her, and, 
besides,” she said, ^^she wanted to be nearer Moun- 
tain Home.” 

The latter remark particularly struck Van de 
Water as rather peculiar, but his guest did not seem 
to notice it. The dinner over. Van de Water brought 
out parcels — gifts which his guest and himself had 
had sent up from the leading jeweler at Seattle. 

Opening one of the dainty parcels, Geraldine 

79 


‘IBtotfters! 


placed on the arm of the Indian maid a beautiful 
gold bracelet studded with raised Indian heads, Van 
de Water placing around her neck a beautiful 
cloisonne necklace, from which hung an Egyptian 
mounted Hungarian opal pendant. 

Seepa Zata’s joy was unbounded. She was slightly 
embarrassed, but thanked them, expressing her grati- 
tude profusely. 

Geraldine found the Indian maid more and more 
interesting. Van de Water listened to their con- 
versation with intense interest, while many thoughts 
swept through his bewildered brain — one of which 
recurred to him many times was his wonder and 
astonishment at the extreme beauty of the Indian 
maid, and the fact of her advancement, which had 
been wholly unknown to him. 

Geraldine played and sang several songs, to the 
intense delight of Seepa Zata, who explained that 
she was passionately fond of music, after which 
Van de Water removed his coat with an apology and 
in negligee attire gave a splendid exhibition of In- 
dian club swinging. The club swinging, by the 
strong, tall, athletic appearing man, with its kaleido- 
scopic effects, fairly dazzled the eyes of the Indian 
maid, and she greatly admired the dexterousness of 
her host. 

The next turn was done by Sano Saito, stripped 
to the waist, his yellow skin shimmering in the mel- 
low light, in his muscular contortion act and jiu- 
jitsu performances, which was vigorously applauded, 
and especially so by Geraldine. 

Seepa Zata then disappeared into another room, 
from which she very quickly emerged clad in her 
80 


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beautiful Indian dancing costume, of Indian handi- 
work, and which was entirely new and quite startling 
to Geraldine. 

Laying aside her turquoise-blue cloak, which was 
decorated with rows upon rows of elk teeth clear to 
the very bottom, she presented a wonderfully unique 
appearance. 

Her one-piece scarlet gown, of soft clinging chif- 
fon, was decorated with beaded Aztec designs, swas- 
ticas, beaded fringe and ornamentals. Her bare 
arms were partially covered with braclets of wam- 
pum, while elaborate bead bracelets adorned her 
ankles. She wore gold satin dancing slippers with 
oblong rhinestone buckles, and tights of champagne 
shade which, at times, as she danced in the soft light, 
caused her shapely limbs to be seen through the 
transparent chiffon of cardinal blue. 

She was a tall girl, lithe and supple, and she 
danced to a clamor of musical little bells — ^bells worn 
as garters, bells around her waist, bells concealed 
that tinkled as she swayed, and protested shrilly as 
she leaped. 

Van de Water had read that there was an old 
French saying: ^What cannot be said can be sung, 
and what cannot be sung can be danced.” 

There are delicate shades of meaning too subtle 
to be conveyed in words, but are abundantly and 
unmistakably indicated in the silent language of mo- 
tion. Every unconscious movement betrays the in- 
ward being. The spoken word may avow sincerity 
and friendliness: but if the glance shifts and the 
head is turned aside, we are not deceived : voice may 
have lied, but body has spoken the truth. 

81 


'Btotftets 


The Indian maid sang in a beautiful, low, crooning 
voice, as she danced, and Van de Water sat spell- 
bound. 

The setting in which Seepa Zata danced was won- 
derful in the extreme : The long room, with heavy, 
dark-beamed, ivory ceiling; chocolate-tinted walls, 
with numerous mounted heads of wild animals, and 
especially decorated for the occasion with numerous 
rich Indian blankets of many colorings and designs ; 
Geraldine, in her evening gown of lavender and her 
flashing diamonds; Van de Water, in white flannels 
and oxfords, and Sano Saito, in the background in 
immaculate white, all alluringly lit by the numerous 
shaded lights. 

Van de Water^s eyes were riveted on Seepa Zata, 
as he sat spellbound and fascinated. The little bells 
rang musically and the large Hungarian opal at her 
throat flashed liquid molten Are. 

Back and forth, up and down the long space 
danced and sang the beautiful, bewitching Indian 
maid. Her voice was soft and low, and her luminous 
eyes were full of mystery and magnetism. Rushing 
forward in the dance, as though blown by the winds 
and circling around and back, passing first close to 
Van de Water and then to Mrs. Paul Gibson, her 
quick, graceful and sinuous movements actually 
seemed to give utterance to some strange, mysterious 
language. 

Many thoughts came to Van de Water as he 
watched the wonderful dancing maid. Surely this 
was no common Indian squaw! He must make it 
his business to look up her ancestors. Ho Indian 
squaw ever had her intelligent face and eyes. Ho 
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iBzothm 


squaw had ever danced as this child, and her general 
air and carriage denoted a heritage vastly different 
from what he had always heretofore supposed. 

The dance finished, both Van de Water and Geral- 
dine involuntarily rushed forward and escorted her 
to the comfortable, roomy divan — ^the deep lounge — 
where she sat midst gorgeous piled-up cushions, and 
where, midst the gay oriental colorings and luxurious 
surroundings and soft lights, this original child- 
woman seemed, as it occurred to Van de Water later, 
more like some Indian princess than the Indian 
child of nature whom he had always known. He 
noted the magnificent dancing costume, which he 
imagined to be of her own creation, the shapely foot 
and ankle, the symmetrical outline of her whole 
body, the shapely head, the uplifted chin and the 
face of lovely contour. 

Instinctively he took one of her shapely hands in 
both of his and he complimented her warmly. Her 
eyes sparkled mischievously and her voice sank al- 
most to the softness of a whisper as her smiling lips 
thanked him. 

Geraldine had enjoyed the dance immensely, and 
congratulated the Indian maid enthusiastically, and, 
after helping her to a glass of cool water, which 
had been brought by the thoughtful Sano Saito, she 
played and sang until Sano Saito announced, with 
the soft tones of the Japanese gong, that it was time 
for adjournment to the pergola, which was now 
softly lighted by numerous Japanese lanterns. 

An immense rug had been placed in the center of 
the floor tiling, on which had been placed the table 
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'Btotfters 

now arranged with a dainty luncheon and refreshing 
drinks. 

The musical tinkling of the Japanese wind hells, 
which Sano Saito had hung throughout the vine and 
rose-colored roof of the pergola, and also throughout 
the garden, mingled with their talk and laughter as 
they ate. 

The moon’s rays sparkled in the soft waters of 
the plunge, and the night calls of birds were heard 
in the distance. The breeze through the trees of the 
great forests could be heard, and the glamour of the 
soft night cast a spell over all. 

The evening air becoming a trifling cool Geraldine 
had placed over the shoulders and sheer dancing 
costume of Seepa Zata her wonderful elk-tooth coat, 
while over her own shoulders was thrown the glory 
of a coral-colored scarf. 

strange combination of colorings,” thought V an 
de Water, as he looked at Geraldine, with her beauti- 
ful, slightly flushed face — a trifle more accentuated 
by the coral scarf, and from her to the slightly cop- 
per-tinted face of Seepa Zata — the darkness being 
also accentuated by the turquoise-hlue wrap she 
wore; the soft light from the Japanese lanterns and 
the kaleidoscopic flashings of the electric fountain 
in the distance. 

The hour becoming late, the Indian maid signifled 
her intention of taking her departure, and, although 
they cordially urged her to remain over night, she 
declined to do so, saying she would prefer to return 
to her own people, and that she knew a short path 
through the forest which would take her home 
quickly. 


84 


IBtotfiers! 


Geraldine accompanied her to her room and as- 
sisted her in changing to her other clothing. 

Seepa Zata left by the front door, instead of 
through the pergola, and offered no explanation as 
to how she came over the garden wall. 

Geraldine enjoyed her swimming lessons greatly, 
and was so enthusiastic over them that Van de Water 
and she were now taking a plunge at night, as well 
as morning, and therefore soon after Seepa Zata 
had departed and they had talked with the lights 
soft and low, as they sat on the roomy divan, and 
with Geraldine’s adorable eyes devouring Van de 
Water, he suggested that they prepare for their 
plunge and evening swim. 

As they sat at the edge of the plunge, on the heavy, 
white, marble coping, with their feet dangling in 
the lukewarm water, Geraldine, with her beautiful 
hair enclosed in her bright red water-proof cap with 
small protruding dainty ruffle at its edge, her face 
radiant with happiness and love, she thought: 

^Truly there could be no more enchanting spot 
than this garden by moonlight!” 

Sano Saito had removed all evidence of the per- 
gola party, and nothing remained of the decorations 
but the soft-tinkling wind-bells. The moon flooded 
the scene with its soft mellow light ; the myriad clus- 
ters of crimson coral and the countless American 
Beauty roses were plainly visible. The sky was a 
soft, cloudless azure, and the profound stillness, the 
graceful bending willows, the soft carpet of green 
and the smooth, glistening plunge— ^he white gravel 
bottom of which was plainly seen in the mellow light 
and the soft perfume-laden night — the odor of the 
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15rot!)er0 


American Beauty roses and wild flowers blending 
with the forest air cast a spell over them, and she 
sat, folded close in his embrace, as he stood beside 
her, her voluptuous body against his, awe-stricken. 

Here indeed one’s fancy might outrun itself. IJn- 
trammeled by conventionality or human limitations 
nature had certainly outdone itself ! 

^^In all the world there could not possibly be a 
more enchanting spot,” said Geraldine softly, ^^and 
truly, this should be called ^The Garden of the 
Gods’ !” And, looking into the moist eyes of Yan de 
Water, as he raised them to hers, she clasped her 
beautiful soft bare arms around him, and kissed him 
again and again, as she said: 

^^Ah ! My Hoble, you have given me so much hap- 
piness — ^more than I ever knew existed in all the 
wide, wide world ! My heart is bursting with grati- 
tude and love, and I know not what to say to you.” 

As she slid into the water Yan de Water held her 
with his strong arms in close embrace, as he told her 
of his great love for her — the most beautiful, most 
entrancing, and most lovable woman in all the world ! 

Yan de Water was beside himself with joy and 
happiness. The softly tinkling wind-bells and sur- 
roundings cast a glamour over them, and, some time 
later, after having retired, the musical sounds 
soothed them into the soft and kind arms of slumber. 


86 


CHAPTEE XI 


THE STORM 

The following morning Van de Water slept late, 
an extreme languor having overtaken him, and, as 
a wind and rain storm had set in during the early 
morning, the sky was overcast and dark, with the 
rain beating a gentle tattoo on the immense slate 
roof and the tile floor of the terrace, and, with the 
wind soughing through the trees, it was a fine morn- 
ing to sleep. 

Geraldine had awakened earlier, and, with water- 
proof boots, coat and hood, had braved the elements, 
to her great delight, as she walked and ran from one 
point of vantage to another, from which to watch 
the storm sweep over the valley below and the moun- 
tain-side above. 

The clouds hung low and only the sides of the 
mountains were visible — ^the tops being submerged, 
as it were, in the heavy, dark, ominous-looking 
clouds. 

Eeturning to the house and replacing her rain 
clothing with soft morning gown and slippers, she 
teasingly awakened Van de Water, and they were 
ready for breakfast at mid-day, which was served in 
the glazed piazza, with a cheerful grate fire — ^the 
morning having become quite cool. 

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Tlie storm continued, and seemed to grow quite 
fierce, and from the glazed room one could see the 
great panorama of green, wind-tossed tree-tops, roll- 
ing like the billows of the ocean in the valley below. 

Looking out across the vast space, as the storm 
increased in its fury, the rain glinted like a sheet 
of steel metal. It beat down the tangled, beautiful 
wilderness of fiowers near the glazed room, and 
showered the rose petals from the clinging vines 
around the trunks of the immense trees. 

The sheet of water ran over the green lawn, and 
the tree-tops waved and were bent low with the 
sweeping wind that blew a gale. 

As they looked the storm seemed to begin afresh, 
and its violence increased rapidly. The wind blew 
the sodded blossoms, fir needles, moss and broken 
branches into a hurricane cloud, before them. 

What had been a fantastic, brilliantly colored pan- 
orama now appeared to be a desolate space. It was 
an experience never to be forgotten, and, turning to 
Van de Water, and the cheerful, blazing grate, Ger- 
aldine said: 

^^Dear ISToble, it is a grand magnificent sight, but 
too desolate and gloomy; I prefer to turn my back 
to it and look into the cheerful grate fire, and — at 
you 

The fire crackled, flickered and blazed with merry 
burst of flame, lighting up the glass-enclosed room, 
while the sheets of rain ran down the glass at the 
sides. 

The warmth and light within contrasted strangely 
with the gloom outside, and, as she sat at the English 
breakfast-table, looking into Van de Water’s soft 
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TStotf^m 


eyes, and sensing the comfort of the cheerful fire, 
a soft, warm languor stole over her, and the tension 
of her mind relaxed, as she gave herself up to the 
happiness she felt. 

Soothed by the warmth and luxurious comfort 
of the room, the beauty and happiness of her pres- 
ent life stretched out countless magic wands that 
lulled into insensibility the knowledge of any gloomi- 
ness without. Life, after all, was beautiful and 
wonderful, and she meant to gather all its sweetness 
and bloom. 

Breakfast over and Sano Saito, having removed 
all evidence of the same, placed comfortable, roomy, 
fiber-cushioned chairs in front of the replenished 
grate fire, which took on new life and crackled more 
merrily, if possible, than before. 

The sporting of many colored and peculiar shaped 
fish from the Orient, in the aquarium, claimed their 
attention for the next hour. 

The balance of the afternoon was spent by Van 
de Water in his den, looking after business corre- 
spondence, and by Geraldine in reading, sitting com- 
fortably on the divan loaded with gorgeous pillows, 
which Sano Saito had drawn up in front of the im- 
mense, living room, grate fire, with the large, tall 
reading lamp, with its Grecian dome, standing near. 
The crackling of the fire partially deadened the sound 
of the wind and rain without, and, becoming inter- 
ested in her reading, all thoughts of the storm passed 
from her. 

After reading for some time, Geraldine stole 
quietly to her room, from where she emerged, a few 
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“IBrotljets 


moments later, dressed in soft, clinging negligee 
attire and sandaled feet. 

Seating herself at the piano, she softly played and 
sang Van de Water’s favorite music, after which she 
walked lightly to the door of the den, which stood 
slightly ajar, and, quietly entering, tip-toed to Van 
de Water’s chair, where she installed herself on the 
arm thereof. 

The beautiful room was very much out of the ordi- 
nary, and was a combination of copper color and 
green. The large, leaded casement windows, having 
been made from the bottoms of green glass bottles, 
were wondefully effective, with their sill length 
hangings of heavy, plain, raw J apanese silk. 

Brown-toned pictures in dark frames adorned the 
walls, and a large Oriental rug of soft colorings cov- 
ered the polished floor. The den was open to the 
roof, the general plan and flnishings of which pro- 
claimed the taste and ingenuity of the architect, the 
view and spaciousness thereof unobstructed as the 
elaborate light fixtures of bronze and green protruded 
from the side walls. Above the smoldering grate 
fire was the remarkable chimney-piece, consisting of 
glistening ore specimens set in concrete. 

The rich, heavy, roomy desk of dark mahogany, 
with its many drawers and bulging pigeon-holes, de- 
noted the business man, and the thought occurred to 
Geraldine that he seemed quite different, at his desk, 
from what he had seemed to her before, however, as 
his arm stole around her soft waist and drew her 
gently to him, she kissed him and said : 

^^How anxious I am for the morrow, so that I 

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may drag you away from this desk ; it seems weeks 
and weeks since you came in here!’’ 

‘^N’ever fear,” replied Van de Water laughingly, 
^^the morrow will come quite soon enough. And, in 
the meantime, there are many happy hours in store 
for us. I will soon be through here, and then you 
will not be obliged to sit alone in that large room 
with its barbaric appearing walls.” 

Geraldine laughed softly and replied: 

^^Yes, IToble, dear, I am terribly lonely there. 
Please hurry.” Her lovely eyes shone mischievously 
as she left him, and returning to the large room, 
thinking of the ever-present charm of his personality, 
she walked to the library table and inhaled the fra- 
grance from the soft petals of the beautiful roses 
which filled to overfiowing the large Japanese basket 
of mahogany-colored woven fiber. 

Turning on the lights, she carefully examined the 
beautiful bric-a-brac, the bronze elephants, the totem 
poles of curious designs, the Eskimo carved ivory, 
and all the time humming delightful airs as she 
did so. 

An hour later, when Van de Water emerged from 
the den, he found Geraldine, midst the gorgeous pil- 
lows on the large divan, with only the firelight from 
the dying embers of the grate fire lighting up her 
features as she slept. A tangled mass of soft-petaled 
roses lay on the rug, as they had fallen from her 
arms. 

He did not disturb her, but, going to his o^vn 
room, donned roomy, comfortable, velvet house-coat 
and slippers. 

Keturning to the divan he awakened Geraldine 
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'Btotfters 


with soft kisses on her hair, eyes and lips, and, 
taking her into his arms, they reclined on the divan, 
at full length, and looked into the heart of the red 
embers that glowed on the hearth as they talked. 

Dinner, that evening, was served in the living 
room. The table in the center of the room and 
directly opposite the immense fireplace of cobble- 
stone and cement, of unusual design, with the glis- 
tening gun-harrels and primitive Indian weapons 
above, and the soft lights and red glare from the 
crackling fire lit up the gorgeous, heavily laden table 
and their animated faces. The sparkling burgundy 
bubbled in the red glare, and their laughter and talk 
echoed throughout the large room. 

The next day, if the weather permitted, they were 
to make an excursion into the mountains and visit 
a cave, about which the Indians had for years told 
.Van de Water, but which he had never visited. 

Geraldine grew very enthusiastic regarding the 
proposed trip as Van de Water told her of the im- 
mense cavern called ^^Wind Cave,” so called by the 
Indians because of the roaring noise heard at its en- 
trance, which Van de Water knew to be caused by the 
suction of the air through the small entrance. 

The cave was not many miles distant, but difficult 
of access. He told her of the many peculiar stories 
he had heard from the Indians regarding the cave; 
of the low-roofed entrance, where one had to stoop 
to enter, and of the gradually ascending ceiling, or 
roof, and of the gradually descending path until high- 
vaulted, long halls and immense chambers, with ir- 
regular-shaped, honey-combed, crystallized and sta- 
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TStotljets! 

lactite ceilings, which glistened like diamonds in the 
bright torch light, were reached. 

The chambers of various sizes, shapes and dimen- 
sions were connected by narrow passageways. They 
had told him of the beautiful streams, coming from 
no one knew where; of a lake, the main part of 
which, being completely shut off from the smaller 
portion when the water was high, at certain seasons 
of the year by a huge, hanging, granite wall, some 
sixty feet in thickness, and which caused it to he an 
air-tight chamber, as there was no opening whatever 
in its dome-shaped granite ceiling or sides. When 
the water was at the low point there was a space 
between the bottom of the hanging wall and the water 
of sufficient height to allow a person in a canoe to 
pass through, the bottom edge of the sixty-foot wall 
being straight across and as regular and smooth as 
if it had been chiseled by a thousand human hands. 

There was an old legend of a party of Indians be- 
coming imprisoned there by the water rising sud- 
denly and unexpectedly, and, none of them being 
able to make their escape, they were smothered. 

^^How terrible said Geraldine, as she shuddered 
slightly; but, continuing, Geraldine said: 

would like to see it, Noble, dear. Will you take 
:e soon?” 

^^Yes,” replied Van de Water, ^Ve will explore it 
together.” And thus it was that Van de Water and 
Geraldine planned an excursion into the depths of 
the mountains. 

Explaining that he had something of interest to 
show her, he took her up through the unused attic, 
with its network of steel rods, which formed the 
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'Brotfierg 


bridge that supported the immense roof and also held 
the square timbers that formed the beamed ceiling 
below, to the top of the roof, where he had had in- 
stalled a powerful searchlight. 

Throwing the light over the valley below and then 
to the distant mountain peaks, and into the trees of 
the forest, the sight was unusual and very wonderful. 

Van de Water told her of how, when the light was 
first installed and the Indians for the first time saw 
the strange powerful light reflected alternately over 
the mountains, forests, the valley and the sky, they 
became terror-stricken in their belief that the world 
was surely coming to an end. 

Later that evening, after the wind had blovm itself 
out and the rain had entirely ‘ceased, and the moon 
was shining dimly from behind the moving, shifting 
clouds, and, as they walked back and forth the length 
of the terrace, they further talked of their contem- 
plated journey. 

The electric lights were turned on in the garden 
that evening as they took their customary swim in 
the lukewarm waters of the plunge, which was en- 
joyed immensely by both, after which they retired. 
Van de Water, holding her close, kissed her warm, 
moist, clinging lips, as he told her of his great happi- 
ness and his wonderful love for her. 


94 


CHAPTER XII 


THE CAVE 

Few more inspiring drives are possible than that 
which led to Wind Cave. 

On the high mountain-side the air seemed to 
tingle with electricity, and on this particular damp, 
fragrant morning, fresh from the rains of the day 
before, the glorious, exhilarating atmosphere raised 
Geraldine and Van de Water into their ^^seventh 
heaven” of delight. 

The wind had blown itself out, and quiet reigned 
supreme, and the morning sun colored the western 
peaks with gold, orange and purple. 

Xot feeling quite sure of the trail leading to 
Wind Cave, Van de Water concluded to ride to the 
settlement and inquire of the Indians. Riding to 
the nearest tepee, he called again and again, and 
gradually, after some little time, a blanket that cov- 
ered the entrance of the tepee was pulled back and 
a tangled mass of black hair and a face appeared. 
Then, after a long look and much rubbing of the 
eyes, a dark form pulled itself from out of the folds 
of the blanket, and a shirt-clad Indian stood before 
them. 

Van de Water addressed him in the Indian lan- 
guage, and, after many grunts and signs, they were 
directed to the proper trail. 

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OSrotijers 


Leaving the main road they followed the narrow 
trail heretofore trod only by Indians and velvet- 
pawed beasts of prey. The trail wound in and out 
between the immensely tall fir trees, where little if 
any sunlight ever penetrated this network of solid 
dense undergrowth beneath the firs and cedars, 
around whose trunks peculiar vines grew upward 
toward the light. 

Beneath the feet the ground was soft and inviting, 
with its thick covering of moss and other dead plant 
life which had accumulated for ages. 

Suddenly there was an opening in the thick foliage 
ahead and the sound of rippling water was heard. 

They had forded streams, but they now came to 
something new. The trail led up a dashing stream. 
For quite a considerable distance, where the water 
had changed its course frequently to one offering the 
least resistance, the trail lay at the bottom of the 
stream. 

The horses had no difficulty and walked over the 
stony trail without hesitation, the water splashing 
against their feet and legs. 

After leaving the stream the trail zigzagged hack 
and forth along the side of the mountain just over 
which was the goal sought — ^the entrance to the cave. 

When rounding the summit of their climb, wild 
mountain flowers in profusion greeted their vision. 

^^Oh, how beautiful!’^ cried Geraldine. 

Nature’s method of growing flowers is quite dif- 
ferent from the system practiced by man, and there 
were flowers of all the colors of the rainbow in pro- 
fusion, yellow and pink, deep red and sky-blue, pur- 
ple and white. 


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Just immediately beyond the wild flowers was the 
dense growth of scrubby trees which indicated the 
entrance to the cave. 

^^What shall we do with our horses?” inquired 
Geraldine. 

will leave them at the edge of the timber near 
the entrance,” replied Van de Water. 

Quickly covering the remaining distance, and dis- 
moimting. Van de Water tethered the horses, taking 
a large ball of strong cord, which he proposed to 
unwind from the one fastened end, as they went into 
the cave, so there could be no possibility of their 
becoming lost. He also had a couple of electric 
flashlights, explaining to his companion that he 
brought two in case one should happen to fail them, 
and, taking from his saddle his Winchester, and 
from the gun pockets the two forty-flve caliber Colts 
with belt which he strapped on his person, he felt he 
was prepared for any emergency. Geraldine’s cheeks 
were aglow with pleasure and excitement, and she 
said, as she placed her arms around Van de Water 
and looked up into his eyes : 

^^Ah, Hoble, dear, how happy I am that I am 
going into the cave with you ! I would be afraid to 
go with anyone else.” 

They entered the wind-moaning mouth of the 
mountain, as Van de Water called it, and after the 
first few steps were able to stand erect. 

The brilliant electric light, shining ahead, lighted 
the way, and as the path descended, and the roof, or 
ceiling, ascended rapidly, it was but a few moments 
before they realized that they were amidst one of 
the greatest of Nature’s wonders. 

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iBtothtts 


The cave was truly a marvel of geological forma- 
tion. After traversing the narrow passageway for 
some little distance they entered a large chamber, the 
ceiling and irregular sides of which, being illumi- 
nated by the brilliant electric flashlight, seemed at 
a flrst glance to be studded thickly with diamonds. 

Long-pointed stalactites hung from the ceiling, at 
irregular distances, glistening with various shades of 
green, yellow, red and purple. 

Geraldine uttered an exclamation of delight, as 
she flashed her light to aid Van de Water in lighting 
the huge room, which echoed and reechoed through 
the high vaulted ceiling and low passage-ways. 

Continuing they passed through the large cham- 
ber and into a much smaller room, where still a higher 
ceiling was hung with long, shapely, pointed, gloomy, 
brown rocks, splotched with verdigris. Thru this 
room ran a small stream of icy cold water which 
rippled over the pebbles which were at the bottom 
of its course. The echo of the rushing waters 
sounded almost like tinkling bells, so clear was the 
air which circulated through these caverns. 

Continuing through a narrow passage-way they 
came to a huge opening, along one side of which and 
close to the high vaulted wall the path followed, and 
at the other side of the path and but a few feet dis- 
tant was a huge deep basin of large extent, in which 
the lights reflected on riven rocks the size of a house 
and larger, that looked as if they had been thrown up 
and torn asunder by an earthquake. 

Great hollows sculped by the water of centuries 
showed twisted strata in whirls and spirals and sharp 
angles. The rocks were the colors of the rainbow 
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and splashed with a combination of them all. There 
were thin-lipped openings, that looked like immense 
hungry yawning mouths ; they seemed to have a cruel, 
snarling twist, that made them seem anxious to 
crush flesh and bone should a human being chance to 
fall there. They seemed to end in darkness, deep 
and forbidding, and gave out moans and sobs; in- 
side the ice-imprisoned wind was vainly striving 
against its prison to gain the sunlight and the firs. 
It hissed shrill and sharp, and a sort of fascinating 
terror held them awe-stricken and spellbound for 
many minutes. 

Geraldine held Van de Water’s arm, and clutched 
it more tightly, pulling him back, and, as they neared 
the entrance, following the stout cord, and emerged 
into the bright simlight. Van de Water noticed the 
extreme paleness of Geraldine’s usually flushed 
cheeks, for the terror that had overtaken her in the 
subterranean chamber was wholly unknown to Van 
de Water. However, he divined that something was 
wrong, and, taking her in his arms, as she fainted, 
he was thoroughly alarmed. Laying her gently down, 
and using his Stetson hat for the lack of something 
more suitable, in which to bring water from the near- 
by stream, he soon had her revived, and, as he bent 
over her, his face delightfully tender, she opened 
her deep, dazzling, dark-brown eyes and gave a little 
tremulous laugh. 

His kind attention, apparent solicitude, and lov- 
ing words soon brought the natural color to her 
cheeks, and as she revived Van de Water took from 
his saddle-bag, to the surprise of Geraldine, a ther- 
mos bottle, generously filled with delicious cool but- 
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termilk, and also the dainty sandwiches which Sano 
Saito had prepared for their mid-day lunch, should 
they not return by noon-time. 

A delightfully soft, mossy place was found near at 
hand, midst the wild flowers, where they sat and 
ate their appetizing lunch. Van de Water talking 
the while, of the beautiful view, to divert Geraldine^s 
thoughts from the unpleasant sight she had recently 
witnessed. 

After resting and talking for some little time 
they mounted their impatiently waiting horses and 
started on their return trip. 

The ride home was a repetition of the trip out, 
with the exception that the sun shone brighter, the 
trees, streams and mountains seemed more beautiful 
than ever, and, as Geraldine expressed it, the whole 
world seemed to he more glorious than ever, after 
her frightened experience in the cave, and, as they 
rode, Geraldine’s usually gay spirits returned, and 
the trip was conceded by both as being one of their 
most enjoyable ones. Their only regret was that 
they did not get to see the subterranean lake, with 
the huge hanging wall shutting ofl a portion of it, 
of which the Indians had told Van de Water, but 
Geraldine could not bring herself to enter the cave 
a second time to explore further. However, they 
had no doubt now of its existence after the seemingly 
impossible things they had seen. 


100 


CHAPTER XIII 


AN INDIAN maiden’s LOVE 

Seepa Zata, grown into womanhood, having had 
eight years of schooling, and being an exceptionally 
apt student, looked upon the world with intelligent 
eyes. The usual stolid, expressionless face of the 
Indian was displaced by the indescribable and un- 
failing look of intelligence and knowledge. Her 
large, full, attractive eyes looked fearlessly into 
yours, searching your very soul, as if to drag from 
its depths all the knowledge you possessed. 

Being the child of a half-breed Aztec mother, and 
a French father, her veins contained hut a very small 
percentage of real Indian blood, and there was only 
the very slight copper-tint of the skin and the very 
slight prominent cheek-bones that would in any way 
indicate her relation to the Red Man of the West. 

She was an orphan, both her parents dying when 
she was quite young, and she had been left by her 
mother to the care of the Great ludian Chief and his 
squaw, who had claimed her as their child, and who, 
being childless, willingly took her into their wigwam 
and their life. 

The blood of her French ancestors running 
through her veins told, and her ambitions were much 
greater than those of the people with whom she lived 
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'Btotfiers! 


and associated, and, when the “Great White Chief’ 
first came to their country for timber and after, when 
he gave her toys and trinkets, likewise picture-books 
and also fairy stories, which he translated in a way, 
and read to the eagerly listening child, the thirst for 
knowledge became with her the one great thought and 
passion, which, later on, at the age of twelve, led to 
her being sent to the Eastern Indian school, and 
where she proved to be the most efiicient pupil ever 
admitted there. The faculty took an unbounded^ de- 
light in the bright child and also a great interest in 
her learning, and therefore she was constantly and 
rapidly pushed to the front, which, in a measure, 
accounted for her phenomenally rapid advancement 
and the many honors she won. 

How that she had returned to her home of child- 
hood days, she wondered what life held in store for 
her. 

The one great thought while in school had been 
to please the “Great White Chief,” as she had, when 
a child, been taught by the Indians with whom she 
lived to address Hoble Van de Water. 

As a child she had heard the Indians praise the 
“Great White Chief” on account of his treatment of 
them ; he had paid them well for their timber and his 
liberality, fairness and kind treatment were known 
throughout their land, and thus it was that she had 
always, since seven or eight years of age, looked 
upon and thought of the “Great White Chief” as 
her ideal. 

Little wonder that, even before leaving for the 
East, at twelve years of age, she showed no interest 
whatever in the thrifty young bucks that sought her, 
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and, upon her occasional returns during her vaca- 
tion time, she turned a deaf ear to all their en- 
treaties. Had she not always loved the ^‘Great White 
Chief” ? Had he not, in her childhood days, always 
spoken of her as his future wife ? Had he not taught 
her a great amount of knowledge, and how to swim, 
ride and shoot? 

Had she not, as a child, accompanied him on her 
pony and afoot on long journeys to look up land and 
timber markings, and, as he said, been of invaluable 
service to him as a guide on many and many occa- 
sions? All these thoughts and many more surged 
through her troubled mind when she saw the ‘Vhite 
sister from the land of the rising sun” in the machine 
with the ^^Great White Chief.” 

She had, as a child, learned to love him, and now, 
as a woman, she loved him with all the intense ardor 
of her predominating nationality — the French. 

She had hardly been able to contain herseK, so 
anxious was she to finish at school and return to the 
mountain country that she loved so dearly, and the 
sweet anticipation of the great surprise she had in 
store for her ^^Great White Chief” was great indeed, 
and she had pictured it all to herself a thousand and 
one times — ^Van de Water’s surprise, for it was to be 
a complete surprise, the knowledge having been safely 
kept from him. True she had not seen him but twice 
during the eight years, as what little time she had 
spent at home he had been away in Mexico or some 
other part of the country, but it never had occurred to 
her that perhaps some other woman — some ^^pale- 
face” — -might have won his admiration and love. 

At school she had excelled in penmanship and 

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composition, and many times she had penned beauti- 
ful letters to her ^^White Chief,” only to destroy 
them as the great desire to surprise him later re- 
turned to her. 

Upon learning of Van de WateUs return to Moun- 
tain Home she decided to surprise him first at his 
morning bath, which she knew to be his great de- 
light. She thought this no harm, for had he not 
taught her to swim — in this very same pool — in the 
early days, and even just before she left for the 
East, had she not beaten him in a swimming con- 
test? It was as much a surprise to her as to him, 
when she found herself in his arms, kissing him 
passionately, but now that she had done so, was 
not their relationship more firmly cemented than 
before ? 

She did not know that Van de Water had 
brought a guest with him to Mountain Home, until 
she saw her with him in the machine the morning 
after she surprised him at the plunge. 

She had returned to the bath again the second 
morning and waited his coming, anticipating great 
delight in addressing him in the English language, 
and witnessing his great surprise. She had been 
much disappointed at his non-appearance, but was 
happy in the thought that she would surely see him 
there the next sunrise. Eeturning to the thicket 
where she had left her pony she had mounted and 
rode out into the beautiful sunlight and exhilar- 
ating air. 

Great was her surprise to meet the powerful 
machine returning so early in the morning, from 
where she did not know, with the two occupants. 
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She had followed the car tracks and also the slightly 
trodden path to the remaining dying embers of the 
camp-fire, and her intuition told her the two had 
passed the night there, but for what reason ller 
mind could not fathom. She decided, however, to 
keep close watch of the rendezvous and see if they 
continued to come there. She spent the greater 
part of the day there in solitude, thinking over her 
early life and also the more recent years spent in 
hard work and study to prepare herself to be more 
worthy of her ideal, the ^^Great White Chief’ ; and 
now, what did it bring her ? Only misery in know- 
ing that perhaps her place, which she had always 
so happily looked forward to, was to be taken by 
another, the beautiful ^^White Sister” she had seen 
by his side, whom she thought the most beautiful 
woman she had even seen, and she had seen many 
in the East, and from whom she had tried to gain, 
by observation, knowledge as to manner of deport- 
ment and dress; and, thinking of this beautiful 
woman, jealousy raged in her heart! She decided 
to bide her time until opportunity presented itself 
to make known to Van de Water the fact of her 
having obtained an education, and to ascertain if 
possible what relationship existed between himself 
and the beautiful lady. 

A few days later slie had accepted, with delight, 
the invitation from Van de Water to present herself 
for dinner on her twentieth birthday, and the re- 
quest which came with it to favor them with an 
Indian dance had pleased her immensely. In the 
meantime she had gotten out her dancing costume, 
which had been of her own creation — a soft, clinging 
105 




chiffon, of scarlet, trimmed with beads of crystal 
and black, and which had been nsed bnt once at 
an entertainment given by the members of her class 
at college, and in which she had excelled all others 
in the dances given, the regular squaw or Indian 
girl being unable to give anything different in that 
line from the regular side-stepping tribal dance, 
for which squaws are noted. 

She had gone to Mountain Home with some little 
timidity to meet the beautiful lady and ascertain, 
if possible, what relationship she bore to Van de 
Water, but, upon entering unannounced, and learn- 
ing the lady’s name to be Mrs. Paul Gibson, all 
thoughts of her in connection with Van de Water 
vanished, and she was at her ease, as she witnessed 
the at first discomfiture of Van de Water, and the 
great surprise of both Van de Water and Mrs. Paul 
Gibson. 

She felt that she had done herself justice in con- 
versation and deportment, and that she had excelled 
herself in the abandon of the dance, in which 
she had, undoubtedly and unreservedly, shown his 
guest her wonderful love for the host, her ‘^Great 
White Chief.” 

Days had passed since the bjrthday party, and, 
although she had kept herself in the background, 
she had ways, unknown to anyone but herself, of 
watching Mountain Home, and she knew that Van 
de Water’s guest was still there. This fact dis- 
pleased her, and she was much worried. She had 
hoped for an opportunity of seeing Van de Water 
alone. She had expected that he would send for 
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her, or, better still, come to the settlement to see 
her, but no word came, and he came not. 

On this particular afternoon she was near the 
rushing mountain stream and the water-fall, where 
the woodland shadows and the summer sun blended 
with the mist of the mammoth falls, and where 
each rainbow color strove to outdo the other. With 
music which l^ature had attuned, soft and low, as 
in gentle moods, and then loud and vigorous, the 
falling foamy water dashed on. 

On every side the waters below squirmed their 
way between the rocks and disappeared from view 
in the twisted wreaths and uncoiling lengths of sil- 
very vapor slightly tinted with the rainbow colors. 
As they rose these mists took all manner of fantas- 
tic shapes; spirit-like hands seemed to unite in 
prayer, and fluttering filmy draperies of crimson 
and gold seemed to clothe fairy-like creatures which 
rose and gradually disappeared into the air. 

Her delicately modeled face, of lovely contour, 
had a troubled look. Her full eyes, covered by her 
long, dark lashes, resting up her uplifted face as 
she knelt at the foot of the spraying falls with up- 
lifted, clasped hands, with a prayer upon her lips 
to the All-wise, All-powerful Spirit to give her her 
heart’s desire and send away the beautiful lady to 
the ‘Tand of the Kising Sun,” from whence she 
came. 

Her soft, clinging gown showed her form to per- 
fection. The gold bracelet, with its raised Indian 
heads, glistening on her arm in the sunlight, and 
the Hungarian opal at her throat flashed the varie- 
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15totl)et0 


gated colors of the rainbow, as they were reflected 
from the spraying water. 

She remained thus for some little time, and, upon 
hearing footsteps approaching, she did not stir, be- 
cause in her heart she knew her ^^Great White 
Chief’^ was near. 

The footsteps drew nearer and halted, as Van de 
Water beheld the beautiful vision. He stepped 
nearer, still resting his eyes with a sense of deep 
pleasure, on the beautiful, well-rounded figure, and 
touching her lightly upon the shoulder said: 

‘^Seepa Zata!’’ 

She looked up into his admiring eyes and sur- 
prised face, with happy but tear-dimmed eyes. 

She was wet from the spraying water, and Van 
de Water wiped the moisture from her face and 
hands as he continued: 

^^Seepa Zata, you are very wonderful, and also 
very beautiful. You are full of mystery and sur- 
prises, as you always were when a child.’’ 

She stood before him with her wealth of hair 
moist and glistening in the sunlight, her liquid 
melting eyes looking into the depths of his, as if to 
drag therefrom the knowledge she wished to pos- 
sess. 

Taking her by the hand, as he would a child, he 
led her to a nearby spot, where the green moss was 
thick and soft; and, where the spray could not 
reach them, they seated themselves facing the falling 
water. 

Van de Water noted the smart boots, the clever, 
simple gown, worn with ease and grace, and the 
general chic appearance of this child-woman, and 
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TStotljers! 


he also again noticed the general well-bred air with 
which she carried herself. 

^‘She certainly carries herself like a princess 
was the thought that occurred to Van de Water. 

Their surroundings were very spectacular. The 
waterfall, with its gorgeous colorings and fantastic, 
dream-like fairies, formed by the mist, was not hid 
midst the dense forest, but there were countless 
high rocks of strange colors; rocks of blue, yellow, 
red and green, in enormous masses, lofty buttresses, 
towers and pinnacles, and also formations of smaller 
size in fantastic shapes — all lending themselves to 
the imagination, and in which one could see as many 
pictures as in a grate fire of coals on a winter night, 
or the clouds of heaven on a June day. 

The roseate glory of the tumbling cascade re- 
flected in their faces, and Seepa Zata’s now warmly 
flushed face seemed more beautiful, to Van de 
Water, than ever before. 

Raising her beautiful, luminous eyes to his, and 
in soft, low voice, she said : 

‘^Glorious White Chief of my childhood dreams, 
why is it you have not sent for your little Indian 
girl ? You do not know how I have wanted to talk 
to you and tell you of her many, many school days 
spent so far away from this most beautiful, glorious 
spot which she loves so dearly. Of the many long 
days and nights of hard study; of the sorrows she 
endured at being so far away among strangers, so 
that she might return and surprise, and also please, 
the ^Great White Chief’ and companion of her 
childhood days. 

‘^Your little Indian girl has wanted to ask the 
109 


OBtotbets! 


^Great White Chief’ why it is he keeps the white 
sister from the land of the rising sun so long with 
him at Mountain Home; and why it is that he no 
longer comes to the settlement and asks Seepa Zata 
to accompany him on his forest journeys, and also 
why it is she no longer can he taught to ride, swim 
and shoot, as in the old days? Is it because she 
has gained an education, and if so she wishes she 
did not have it. 

‘^Your little girl has grown into womanhood and 
awaits the pleasure of the ^Great White Chief.’ 

‘^Is he not pleased with her and the knowledge 
she has gained? Does he not think her so beauti- 
ful as the white sister from the land of the rising 
sun? Has he forgotten his promise to make Seepa 
Zata his wife?” 

Van de Water’s face changed from astonishment 
to amazement. Could he hear aright? Could it 
be possible that this child of nature, as he had 
always thought her, had considered seriously his 
jocular sayings, which he had forgotten, but which 
now were remembered by him quite distinctly, as 
he thought of the eager listening child, to whom he 
had read and told fairy stories beside the tepee 
camp-fire ? He especially recalled one occasion, 
when she had accompanied him to help locate cer- 
tain timber markings, and they had been cut off 
from their return trail by the forest fires, they had 
been obliged to fight their way back through the 
hot, blazing, flying branches and the suffocating 
smoke, and, finally becoming exhausted, prepared 
a camp in the forest, where the frightened child 
i lept in Van de Water’s arms, by his side, and when, 
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upon awakening in the morning, she had said with 
child-like simplicity, ^^now that they had slept to- 
gether they were man and wife,” and to which the 
“Great White Chief” had laughingly replied in the 
affirmative. 

All these thoughts and many others came to Van 
de Water, as Seepa Zata talked, and he now under- 
stood her coming to the plunge as she did, and he 
now also understood the things he could not before 
understand regarding Seepa Zata’s wonderful dance, 
of which he had thought a great deal, and had been 
unable to fathom the reason of his being so en- 
thralled by its sinuous gracefulness. 

Her soft, liquid eyes looked into Van de Water’s, 
as she raised her passionate lips to his, and, taking 
her into his strong arms, he pressed his lips to hers 
in one long, ardent kiss, as her soft arms stole 
around his neck. 

Gently releasing her and pushing her slowly from 
him, his very being thrilling with passion — for be 
it remembered that this man was in the prime of 
his manhood. 

He was sorely tempted, for there was no mistak- 
ing the advances being made by this beautiful 
maiden! However, recovering himself, he talked 
to her gently as he held her shapely hands in his. 

“And so,” said Van de Water, “you little minx, 
you think you want to marry me! Well, I’m sure 
you will think better of that, and have vastly dif- 
ferent ideas later. I dare say I am about the only 
man you have ever associated much with and as 
your education leads you out into the world, a,s it 
surely will, you will meet others! You are very 
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'25rotl)et0 


beautiful and will be sought after by many! I 
know that yonr promises to marry me were given 
when you were hut a child, and I could not think of 
holding you to them, and especially before you have 
a chance of seeino: other men and associating with 
them/’ 

A distressing look came into the girl’s beautiful 
face. ^^But,” Van de Water continued, ^‘in an- 
swering your many questions, and all of which I 
am sure deserve an answer, first and foremost I 
will say : I am highly pleased and gratified at your 
having obtained the knowledge which you have, and 
I know that you deserve great credit and praise. 
I am not making any journeys into the forest look- 
ing up timber markings, as I used to in the early 
days, and if I was I would know of no better com- 
panion to have than Seepa Zata,” and, continuing, 
^^you do not need to be taught to ride, swim and 
shoot because you do all those things better than I 
could teach you. The White Sister from the land 
of the rising sun is the wife of an eastern man — a 
friend of mine, and she is spending the remainder 
of the month at Mountain Home, after which she 
will take her departure.” 

Seepa Zata’s face lighted up as she said: 

Seepa Zata does not want to go out into the 
world! She does not need to see other men, even 
tho she never saw you again. Her lips have never 
touched others than yours, and they never will! 
The memories of her ^Great White Chief’ would be 
with her always ! Seepa Zata is very glad the beau- 
tiful lady is going soon as she does not like her 
112 


'Btotfiers! 


there! Seepa Zata -wants to be there! She wants 
to swim in the pool and take to her breast the beau- 
tiful roses and breathe their fragrance! She wants 
to fondle the soft eyed fawns and talk to them, and 
also dance again for her ^Great White Chief/ and 
after the beautiful lady goes cannot she do sof’ 

^^Certainly/’ replied Yan de Water, ^^you can 
come to-morrow, and next day, and the next, and do 
all these things.” 

The girl shook her head, as she replied: 

Seepa Zata will wait and come after the White 
Sister goes; can she not?” 

Yan de Water, thinking that he would not remain 
at Mountain Home after his guest departed, smil- 
ingly gave his consent, to the unbounded delight of 
Seepa Zata, and thus it was that an unhappy parting 
was avoided. 

The girl’s intentions were manifestly plain, but 
Yan de Water had no intention of taking further 
advantage of her love. 

They lingered and talked further of the past 
years and especially of her school days, and later 
he inquired of her parents of whom she remem- 
bered nothing; however, she knew that the squaw- 
mother, with whom she had lived, had always jeal- 
ously guarded a certain old, battered chest, which 
had disappeared during her early absence, and 
which the girl understood held trinkets from her 
mother, and also sealed papers, the contents of 
which were not to be known until Seepa Zata be- 
came twenty-one years of age. 

Yan de Water explained to her that information 

113 


OBtotfters! 


which would be to her advantage might be had 
from the contents of the chest, and accordingly it 
was arranged and understood that they should open 
the chest together on her next birthday, nearly a year 
hence. 


114 


CHAPTER Xiy 


GEEALDINE^S SOLILOQUIES 

On the afternoon of Van de Water’s and Seepa 
Zata’s accidental meeting at the falls, Van de Water 
had insisted on Geraldine remaining at home to 
rest, as he had a certain small portion of his tim- 
bered estate which he wished to look over and esti- 
mate the amount of timber thereon. 

Throughout the afternoon the silence was pro- 
found, -but, gradually becoming accustomed to the 
overwhelming silence, she listened to the tiny sounds 
pervading it, which came from the immense trees, 
the smaller rustling plants and even the flowers. 
The atmosphere always astir helping nature to adjust 
itself to the varying seasons; a loosened twig here 
dropping to the ground; flower petals there blown 
to the green carpeted lawn, and the occasional drop- 
ping of a cone from the hemlock trees. 

Xever, before coming to Mountain Home, had 
she understood the enchantment of the glorious sun- 
shine! It shone everywhere, weaving illusive de- 
signs of wondering beauty. The light rested on the 
myriad mingling shades of green. First before her 
vision was the geranium foliage contrasting with 
the scarlet blossoms, the carpeted lawn of delicate 
shade, the countless ferns of varying shades, and 
115 


'IStotfietsi 


again on to the hemlocks and firs, the topmost 
branches of the tall firs contrasting against the blue 

sky- 

Sunlight! the wonderful glorious sunlight! All 
the sunshine of the universe seemed to have cen- 
tered in this land of enchantment. 

Only once had Sano Saito ventured to put in his 
appearance, and then to bring fresh cut roses and to 
ask if there was anything the lady desired, and upon 
her request had returned later with lemonade, the 
cubes of crystal ice tinkling against the cut glass 
pitcher testifying to its coolness. 

After pouring her a glass, and handing her the 
fresh white damask linen napkin, and placing the 
pitcher on a small serving table at her side, with 
his most profound salaam he had noiselessly re- 
tired. 

Many thoughts came to her. There is always a 
certain fascination about a really man’s club to the 
average woman, and Geraldine was no exception to 
the rule. She felt its spell completely, this being 
her first glimpse of man’s housekeeping on a large 
scale. 

The fireplace was indescribably big and com- 
fortable. She had never seen anything to compare 
with it. She could fancy Van de Water’s gentle- 
men guests sitting in a circle about the huge fire- 
place, after the gentlemanly scrimmage for chairs 
and best places, which her host had told her was 
the usual boyish procedure, and where to sit com- 
fortably as they smoked and told tales of adventure 
as their loud laughter echoed throughout the large 
room. And the crane with the iron kettle; such a 
116 




big substantial kettle! Only men would dare to 
have it around ! That kettle with its reminiscences 
of apple punches and other artful brews by skilled 
hands. 

' These dreamland days were far the happiest she 
had ever known ; rapt in the perfect warmth of her 
great, first and only love her happiness knew no 
bounds. Their glorious days spent together passed 
in review! From the first day of their acquaintance, 
and on to the time of her coming to Mountain 
H^ome; Van de Water’s dream of the ^dady in the 
moon,” and all that had followed. 

This indeed was heaven; this haven of delicious 
peace and fragrance; where roses bloom forever; 
this spot with its ever changing sunrises, and the 
radiant sunsets and the beautiful calm serene moon- 
light nights! It all appealed to her keenly; the 
golden glamour of the sunshine, the extreme beauty 
of the snow-capped mountains against the blue of 
the sky, the long lingering twilight, and where all 
the joys of outdoor life invite one. This truly was 
a life of enchantment! 

Her thoughts drifted back to her girlhood days 
and the time when it was generally understood that 
she was to become the wife of Paul Gibson, an old 
friend of her father’s, when she became twenty 
years of age. Being almost constantly in a school 
for girls, she had not met, or associated, with young 
men of her own age. Whenever her people enter- 
tained during her brief vacation times, it was with 
much older people than herself that she associated, 
and taking it for granted that the proper and only 
thing to do was to follow her parents’ wishes, she 
117 


15rot!)ers 


had complacently complied with their request, and 
with only the understanding between her affianced 
husband and herself that for a while at least, or 
until she became accustomed to the new order of 
things, she was to have her own private sleeping 
apartments. Only once had her husband sought ad- 
mittance to her private apartments, and then upon 
seeing the horror-stricken and frightened face of 
his wife he had retreated, promising her that she 
need have no further fear. 

She now, in her own mind, compared these two 
men of strong character and so wholly unlike. Paul 
Gibson a successful business man; stern and of 
dominant will in his business; courteous and con- 
siderate in his home, but, to her, of a repulsive per- 
sonality. 

ISTohle Van de Water, a successful business man 
of tact, with the charms of easy and gracious man- 
ner and sincere hospitality; the man of athletic 
build and of apollonian symmetry; soft kind eyes 
and tender solicitude, and an altogether charming 
personality. 

She thought of the first meeting between herself 
and E'oble Van de Water, and of how her pulses 
thrilled as his soft eyes looked into hers; and how 
his personality seemed to attract and draw her to 
him; of how afterward in her dreams she saw and 
felt his presence; and of how later on during his 
short visits in ITew York; also their summer camp- 
ing trip, she had become infatuated with him, and 
of how she would never admit the fact, to herself 
even, until the night of her arrival at Mountain 
Home and when she found herself in the pergola. 

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'25tot|)ets 


She wondered much at Paul Gibson’s actions in 
sending her to Mountain Home as he had done! 
He ought never to have done it, leaving her alone 
to fight against the forces surrounding her, unless 
he expected just exactly to happen what had hap- 
pened ! 

Why did he not take her back with him ! Why 
did he leave her there alone! 

She fully realized that there would have been no 
fighting at all, that all the forces that contended 
against her would never have gathered at her feet 
if she had loved Paul Gibson, when she married him, 
as she now loved Hoble Van de Water, and now that 
she had given herself to Hoble Van de Water she 
could never give herself to another, not even her hus- 
band ! 

All these and many other strange thoughts seemed 
to possess her on this quiet, serene beautiful after- 
noon. She thought and wondered what the conse- 
quences of this strange visit might be ! She thought 
of the short remaining time to pass before she would 
be expected, and would be obliged, to return to Hew 
York City! Paul Gibson expected her, and she 
knew that Van de Water had arranged to leave for 
Mexico, on important business, the very first day 
of the following month. 

Tears came to her eyes as she thought of the few 
only remaining days to be spent at Mountain Home. 

But then, what is time? Only ten days — ^why, 
its an eternity, or a minute, as you are obliged to 
live it. In penal servitude it is an eternity! Ac- 
tual time had nothing to do with the clock! For 
her it would be as a moment. 

119 


'IBtot&ets! 


Brushing away the moisture from her eyes she 
thought of the happiness to he hers, for the few re- 
maining days. She would enjoy more happiness in 
those few days than many beings could enjoy in a 
lifetime! One could live a thousand years of hap- 
piness in that time! She would improve every op- 
portunity, every day, every hour and every moment ! 
She would live in one glorious dream of love and 
passion! In the absolute silence memory stood out 
with the color of fire. What did the past or the 
future matter ? It was the present which concerned 
her. 

At the table, with the twilight, the flowers and 
the exquisite appointments, with appetite flattered 
and tempted by a dinner of rare simplicity and per- 
fect cooking, and with just enough of each to suit 
the epicurean taste, Geraldine was radiant. 

She had arranged their chairs, so that they sat 
at each other’s side, and partially facing each other. 

She had never seemed to Van de Water so much 
a mistress of delicate tenderness and also allusive* 
ness; and when, in leaning nearer, as she playfully 
sipped from his glass as he held it teasingly from 
her, her soft, warm, full breast touched his shoulder, 
and a strand of her glorious fragrant hair swept his 
face, he took her in his arms and kissed her rap- 
turously until she cried for very joy. 

That night, after their usual evening swim and as 
Van de Water later, in long commodious bathrobe 
and sandled feet, came into her apartment he found 
her in the soft moonlit room; she was brushing her 
glorious hair, and had thrown about her person a 
loose robe of pale blue crepe veiling. Her lustrous 
120 




hair like waves of burnished copper falling far be- 
low her waist in beautiful confusion; with trem- 
bling hands she endeavored to secure it, as Van de 
Water took her in his arms, as he would a child, 
and as their lips met in one soul maddening kiss, 
and the intoxication of the senses stole quickly over 
them, she murmured in the fullness of her great 
and wonderful love: ‘^i^Toble, Dear, My Love ! My 
Love!’’ 

******* 


121 


CHAPTER XV 


PAUL Gibson’s soliloquies 

Paul Gibson, the stern, driving, practical man of 
business, sat in bis magnificent city borne midst 
luxurious appointments as be read tbe telegram-let- 
ters, wbicb came often from Mountain Home, tell- 
ing of tbe good bealtb, tbe mountain climbs, tbe 
delicious breakfasts of mountain trout and dinners 
of pheasant and wild game, being enjoyed by bis 
wife and bis friend Xoble Van de Water, and smiled 
bis grim determined smile. 

He bad always answered tbe telegram-letters joc- 
ularly by envying them tbeir famous ^^eats” and 
pleasures in general, but always telling them it 
would be tbeir own fault if they failed to enjoy 
themselves to the very limit, and by wishing them 
tbe most enjoyable of vacations and continued good 
bealtb. 

He tbe lover of borne life and domesticity! He 
tbe lover of children, childless and alone! 

Even after beholding tbe look of terror that came 
into bis wife’s face, tbe one time be bad attempted 
to gain admittance to her private apartments, be 
still had retained hopes of winning his wife’s love. 
But later when be saw the softness and warmth that 
came into her face and eyes, at tbe time of her first 
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'Btotjjets 


meeting with his friend, Noble Van de Water, he 
knew that it was useless to maintain any such hopes. 
At first he took the matter to heart very seriously. 
Had he not, the powerful man that he was, and in 
his mad frenzy of passion, smashed and broken 
every atom of furniture and bric-a-brac in his apart- 
ments, and thrown them thru the windows. Then 
as his passion subsided he explained to the awak- 
ened, frightened servants who congregated that he 
did it in his sleep ! A terrible nightmare had caused 
him to do it. To this man of long arms with mus- 
cles of steel, and bull-neck, the furniture had been 
as pipe-stems in his strong hands! Geraldine had 
been ay7akened by the smashing and cracking, and 
the falling, broken bric-a-brac and glass, and terri- 
fied in the extreme, sent her maid to find out what 
was the matter. But Geraldine never was told the 
truth. 

As time passed, however, and he came to like 
Noble Van de Water more and more, and realized 
his sterling character, their friendship became more 
firmly cemented, and he concluded that conditions 
might be much worse than they really were. For 
instance, his wife might have fallen in love with 
some worthless, unprincipled scoundrel — some weak- 
ling, both morally and physically, and been led 
astray as so many good women are. Here was a 
man of character I A man of principle 1 A man of 
strong will and good resolutions I A man of perfect 
health and giant-like strength ! 

The Van de Waters were a noted race! Busi- 
ness-like man, that he was, Paul Gibson had them 
looked up and thru a carefully conducted investi- 
123 


IStotftets 


gation he had learned that Van de Water’s fore- 
fathers were known to have been a sturdy, hardy 
race. 

There had been no delinquents — [no insanity and 
nothing to otherwise change his already good opin- 
ion of his friend. 

Why not let them fall desperately in love! Why 
not let them continue! Why not arrange to have 
them meet oftener! Why not help them to asso- 
ciate more with each other ! There could be no de- 
plorable result ! If children came so much the 
better ! His household would ring with their laugh- 
ter, and his heart be made glad at last ! He would 
see his wife contented and her time occupied ! 
There would be no breaking up of his household! 
There need be no breath of scandal. Scandal ! — the 
word had always been a bugaboo to him, and in 
thinking it all over he really considered himself 
fortunate that his wife had fallen in love with a 
man like his friend, Hoble Van de Water! A man 
of strong character and mature judgment. He had 
no fear of his friend mistreating his wife in any 
manner, and taking it all in all he was well satis- 
fied with conditions as they were. A mutual under- 
standing, later, would eliminate any future unpleas- 
antness, and thus planned the dominant man of busi- 
ness ! 

True it was that he regretted very much his in- 
ability to have won his wife’s love, and during the 
first three years of their married life he had spent 
many a sleepless night with the determined thought 
uppermost in his mind that he would, in some man- 
ner, succeed, but at the end of the first year of his 
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'Btotfters 


friendship with Noble Van de Water he had given 
np, and had devoted all his energies toward the end 
sought — the complete surrendering of his wife’s love 
to his friend. 

The telegram recalling him to New York was the 
result of his carefully laid plans before leaving 
home, and he had had no fear of not being able to 
handle the situation in such a manner that his friend 
would not be able to extricate himself from the web 
of circumstances enfolding him, and also that he 
would be able to make it plain to his friend that he, 
himself, desired their spending the month together. 

When he left them it was with the understanding 
that he would meet his wife in Chicago on the third 
of the following month and escort her home, and 
thus allay all suspicion of scandal which might be 
breathed among their many friends. 

It was also understood that his friend was to 
leave Mountain Home on the first day of the follow- 
ing month for Mexico, to look after his extensive 
mining interests there, and now Paul Gibson looked 
anxiously forward to the time for meeting his wife 
in Chicago. He carefully thought over his plans so 
there could be no suspicion on his wife’s part as 
to the genuineness of his welcome. 

With his thorough training in the school of busi- 
ness he had learned to smile, and had he not, for the 
past year, trained himself for this very supreme 
moment ! 

This man of iron will and determination! Yes, 
he would be equal to the occasion, and especially so 
since it was just exactly what he had planned. 

He would make his wife thrice welcome, and thus 

125 


'Brotftets! 


quiet any misgiving she might have as to his feel- 
ings. If his heart’s desire became true, and -when 
the proper time came, he would further explain, to 
his wife, that being a practical business man, he 
had always looked upon matters in a business-like 
manner, and the fact that she had never seen fit to 
grace his chamber with her presence should be no 
reason why they should not have children in their 
household. 

He would explain to her the fact of his great de- 
sire for children; his great love for children — ^not 
necessarily his own, but all children, and that he 
could never know any greater happiness than to 
provide and to protect her child, and which the 
world would only know to be his, also. 

She might think it generosity on his part but he 
would explain that it was not so, and that he planned 
and sent her to his friend, expecting the results 
which might materialize. 

He would tell her how highly aud genuinely 
pleased and thoroughly satisfied he was, and that 
she need never have any fear that he would be other- 
wise. He would explain to her also that her happi- 
ness and the child’s would be his constant aim and 
life’s happiness. With all these thoughts, and many 
others, he looked anxiously forward to the time of 
his beautiful wife’s return. 


126 


CHAPTER XVI 


AU KEVOIR 

As the end of the month drew near, and the hap- 
piness of Van de Water and Geraldine seemingly 
had reached its zenith they looked forward to their 
parting with extreme regret and trepidation; how- 
ever, as they could not bring themselves to talk of 
the dreaded parting and uncertain future, they lived 
only in the present, and when but a few days re- 
mained Van de Water suggested that they should 
make the past happy days pale in insignificance as 
compared to the remaining ones. 

The few remaining days were a happy culmina- 
tion of all the ones preceding. The saddle horses 
never behaved more enchantingly. The ideal 
weather was entrancing, and the seemingly elec- 
trically charged air aroused their vitality to the high- 
est pitch. Van de Water, the strong athlete and in 
the prime of manhood, and Geraldine in her vigorous 
womanhood, enjoyed to the extreme the intoxicating 
pleasures of real life. 

The last day preceding their departure had ar- 
rived and after being up to see the early sunrise — 
which had never been more gorgeous, and had eaten 
the light, dainty breakfast brought them by Sano 
Saito, had again retired to while the morning hours 
away, each held closely in the arms of the other. 

127 


IBrotljeriS 


The morning light from the high windows was 
diffused thru sheer rose-colored shades and hangings 
and the richly furnished, white enamel room was a 
mellow rose-glow. 

Geraldine, glorious and radiant after her morning 
bath and breakfast, and enlivened by the beautiful 
sunrise she had again witnessed, lavished her love 
freely, and after some little time said: 

^‘ISToble; my IToble! My Love! My Life! you 
have been and are the one inspiration of my life. 
Whatever I do in the future shall be done with the 
one thought of you. I feel and know that great and 
wonderful things will come of our love; things 
much more far reaching than we may imagine. Our 
love in itself is small when compared with what will 
come after.” 

Van de Water kissed her lips, but he did not grasp 
her meaning. 

‘Tt would be impossible,” continued Geraldine, 
^Tor me to give myself to a man I did not love, and 
I can readily understand the actions of the Indian 
girl you told me of, who, as the legend goes, threw 
herself into the bottomless lake rather than marry 
the Great Chief her father wished her to marry, 
and whom she did not love, and I know that would 
now be my choice under like conditions. Children 
of such a union would, I am sure, be born with a 
dreadful handicap and one has no more right to 
bring guiltless, innocent children into the world 
under such conditions, any more, I claim, than do 
consumptives, lunatics, the feeble-minded or the 
vicious. Children should be born under the very 
best conditions possible and if regulations could be 
128 


■IBtotljerst 


taught the coming generation the world would be- 
come stronger and it would he a blessing to man- 
kind. I hope and pray most earnestly, and sin- 
cerely, that our love brings forth results so much de- 
sired by myself — a son by you, the one man in all 
the world I love — and such a man! strong, vigor- 
ous and healthy, and with ideal temperament, and 
gentlemanly character! think of what a wonderful 
man our child would make ! Born of ideal love and 
conditions, and his footsteps and knowledge guided 
by me. 

^^Ah! ISTohle, dear ISTohle! if such happiness can 
only be mine!’’ 

As she rose to her knees, with clasped hands, in the 
attitude of prayer no words escaped her lips but the 
well-springs of joy were open and the tears streamed 
down her beautiful face. 

Van de Water was greatly agitated for a moment, 
but as the tears quickly subsided, and she reached 
out her tremulous, imploring hands to him, and 
the smiles spread in ripples over her face, said: 

^Torgive me, Noble, Dear, but in speaking the 
thing most dear to my heart I was overcome. For- 
give me and forget my tears; which, however, were 
tears of happiness.” 

The morning passed and luncheon was served in 
the glazed piazza, and where the forest scented in- 
toxicating atmosphere drifted to them^ through open 
windows, and the panorama of beautiful colors lay 
gracefully and peacefully in the valley below, and 
the mountain peaks were seen in the distance. It 
was so wonderfully quiet, so calm and so restful. 

Geraldine lifted her liquid brown eyes to his as 
129 


IBrotfteris 


she said: ^^J^oble, Dear, your dream of the lady 
in the moon came true ! I have never told you how 
frightened I was the first night I spent at Moun- 
tain Home. I have never told you of how the Pan- 
ther cry in the forest, which I have heard many 
times since, nearly drove me frantic with fear and 
of how I called to you and tried to awake you; of 
how I tip-toed thru the large living-room of moon- 
light shadows and to the pergola, and again called 
to you as I opened the door; of how in my amaze- 
ment at the sight of you, who seemed so wonderful 
to me; a man of giant-like strength and perfectly 
formed straight limbs, and full chest, I stood spell- 
bound! I forgot the Panther cries and heard noth- 
ing, saw nothing and thought of nothing but you! 
You! You! The realization of my love for you; 
of how some unseen, imknown force compelled me to 
linger, and to go to you and kiss your lips. 

^^Later as I fled, in my fright, at what I had done, 
and lived the night thru with doubt and misgivings 
as to what you might thinlv of my actions, I won- 
dered what the morrow would bring forth. Great 
was my joy, the next morning, when I saw the love- 
light in your eyes, and felt assurance in your linger- 
ing handclasp.’’ 

Thus it was that the memories of all their happy 
days, one by one, flooded them — ^their rosary of 
happy days. 

The brisk, spanking ride during a part of the 
afternoon, astride the beautiful blacks, brought them 
appetite for the sumptuous dinner which Sano Saito 
had prepared, and which, as he understood the last, 
was to eclipse all his former efforts. Long had he 
130 


'IBtotftersi 


planned this last dinner, and the many surprising 
things he had in reserve for this, the final effort. 

The white enamel dining-room, with its gray pan- 
eled side-walls; its built-in combination sideboard, 
buffet and china closet extending across the entire 
outside wall, with leaded glass windows above; with 
their hangings of sheer white and side draperies of 
rich imported chintz ; its immaculate fine damask 
linen covered mahogany table contrasting with the 
rich hand-carved mahogany chairs and the colonial 
brass fixtures with their frosted globes, suggested a 
fairy-land picture. American beauty roses adorned 
the center of the table and large vases filled to over- 
flowing with them were placed about the room. 

“A feast fit for the gods !” Geraldine declared, as 
she sipped the sparkling burgundy and ate of the 
daintily prepared wholesome food. 

^^Sano Saito has certainly outdone himself, and it 
is he who deserves all the credit,” said Van de 
Water. ^^A most remarkable servant, indeed, and 
I prize him very highly. He is anxious to return 
to his home country and bring a wife here. Ho 
unmarried females from Japan are admitted to this 
country and the Oriental custom of marrying by 
proxy does not exactly appeal to him. I expect to 
send him to his home country early next year and, 
no doubt, when you come again to Mountain Home 
you will be able to enjoy the luxury of having a 
Japanese maid — the slant-eyed bride of Sano Saito, 
who will, I am sure, be able to take adequate care 
of all your feminine needs.” 

Geraldine’s face brightened, as the thoughts of 

131 


'Btotftecg 

her next visit to Mountain Home, a year hence, 
crowded her mind. 

^‘1 am thoroughly satisfied, after what has al- 
ready transpired, that your husband — my friend — 
will want you to come to the far western mountains 
again next year and we will hope so,” continued Van 
de Water. ^^His letters imply that he is thoroughly 
satisfied and, in fact, pleased to have you here, and 
I know of no reason why he should change his ideas 
either at this time or later. I absolutely fail to 
understand his present attitude in the matter, and 
have given up trying, but since it is as it is, I do 
not see any reason why it should not remain the 
same. However, let us banish from our thoughts 
all fear of the future and live only in the present — 
as we have done in the past.” 

The final plunge in the pool, under the starlit 
sky, midst the enchantment of the wonderful forest 
and flower-scented garden — ^the ‘^Garden of the 
Gods” ! as Geraldine christened it, was made mem- 
orable by the words of endearment and affection be- 
stowed upon each by the other, both seemingly over- 
flowing with unbounded happiness in their gracious 
love. 

Climbing the marble steps from the water Van 
de Water wrapped her in his commodious bathrobe 
and, lifting her, he carried her, above his head, with 
arms of herculean strength, thru the pergola and 
on to their softly lighted apartment, and as he laid 
her gently down, and kissed her laughing mouth, 
said: 

^^You little child ! I did not realize you were so 
small!” A child indeed she seemed in this man’s 
132 


'Btotfiets 


arms. The incident showed Geraldine something 
more of this man’s wonderful strength than she 
had ever before witnessed, and her deep dazzling 
brown eyes devoured him — ^the splendid specimen of 
American manhood, and her cheeks flamed, as she 
stretched out her arms to him — ^those round white 
arms he loved so dearly. 

******* 


133 


CHAPTER XVII 


CONVALESCENT 

Xoble Van de Water had been very ill and in bis 
convalescence his thoughts wandered to the topmost 
round of the heaven-high ladder of his past happi- 
ness only to fall suddenly to the grim realities of 
the present. 

Alone ! And the woman in all the world for him, 
gone to her husband — and his friend! Were all 
things wrong in this world! Was reason being de- 
throned! God! Was there ever such travesty on 
justice and the right and wrong of things! How 
could such injustice be done — injustice to Paul Gib- 
son! Injustice to Geraldine! And injustice to 
himself! Surely a big tangle to be unwoven, but 
how! Yes, how? 

The days passed and Xoble Van de Water was 
getting strong again ! Strong red blood was again 
surging thru his veins. The nurse, who was no 
other than Seepa Zata, had shown him every care, 
and had nursed him back to health. Her tender care 
and evident solicitude for his comfort had touched 
him keenly, and as he daily sat midst numerous 
soft cushions, in his comfortable reclining chair on 
the roomy terrace, whose floor was literally covered 
with the soft Indian rugs of many colorings, the 
134 


'lBrot&et0 


beautiful Indian maid, with low well modulated 
voice, read to him and sang to him until he slept — 
slept the sleep that gave him the complete rest neces- 
sary to build up his weakened constitution. 

He could remember nothing after bidding Ger- 
aldine good-bye at the railroad station as he prom- 
ised her an early visit at her Hew York home, and 
assisted her to the steps of the pullman, on the Ori- 
ental Limited, the stopping of which had been ar- 
ranged over Long Distance, and on which her com- 
partment had been reserved for her, and in which 
she would find all the modern conveniences of the 
Transcontinental train, which ran thru to Chicago. 

On the return trip to Mountain Home the steer- 
ing gear of the machine had failed him, and Van 
de Water had been unable to keep the monster ma- 
chine from plunging over the embankment and 
turning turtle. 

The faithful servant, Sano Saito, had escaped 
serious injury as the force of the machine threw 
him clear, but Van de Water had fared far differ- 
ently, and Sano Saito was unable to extricate his 
Master as he lay crushed partially beneath the car. 

A cold rain had set in and Van de Water, being 
pinioned there for hours before assistance could be 
gotten, was soaked to the bone marrow, from which 
experienced exposure a serious case of pneumonia 
had been contracted. 

At last, when they arrived with him at Mountain 
Home, he was unconscious and it was Seepa Zata 
who, with the assistance of Sano Saito, had taken 
the wet soaked garments from him and wrapped him 
in warm wool blankets. It was she who consulted 
135 


‘Brotijerst 


over long distance a leading physician of Seattle who 
came on the next train. 

The physician looked serions and shook his big 
head doubtfully as he instructed Seepa Zata as to 
the care of the patient. She it was who watched 
faithfully and who applied and removed the anti- 
phlogistine, and administered the other remedies 
which came by Parcel Post, and reported her pa- 
tient’s temperature daily over long distance to the 
physician miles away and received from him instruc- 
tions as to the care of the sick man. 

During the earlier part of his sickness Yan de 
Water’s dreams were ever of Geraldine, only to 
awaken and find, instead, the Indian maid regard- 
ing him with eager anxious eyes, and who adjusted 
his pillows and brought the cooling drinks his 
parched throat particularly seemed to require, and 
whose every movement and action seemed to still 
his troubled brain. 

He was now recovering rapidly and, having gone 
thru the stage of convalescence of daily walks — first 
the length of the terrace and back, and affterward 
thru the grounds, always accompanied by his nurse 
— ^the Indian maid, so-called — ^but to Yan de Wa- 
ter’s mind an Indian princess, he was taking daily 
rides, mounted on his beautiful horse ^^Midnight,” 
and accompanied by Seepa Zata, who rode beauti- 
fully on the hack of ^Wa-la-ha,” an exact duplicate 
of ^ ^Midnight” with the exception of one white 
stocking foot. This exercise was bringing the 
healthy brown tan to his cheeks, and the joy of liv- 
ing once more thrilled him. 

Thru the thoughtfulness and kindness of Geral- 

136 


'IBtotijers! 


dine, Seepa Zata had received from !N’ew York 
French lingerie, several suits and gowns, and a beau- 
tiful riding costume fashioned after the style of the 
one worn by Geraldine. 

The costume fitted her divinely and, mounted on 
the satin-skinned black with thoroughbred gait, 
Seepa Zata indeed looked the Princess that Van de 
Water sometimes imagined her to he. 

The hounds always accompanied them on their 
journeys, and their rides thru tangled trails of the 
forests over the mountain roads, the exhilarating air 
and the lure of the free outdoor life with all its 
charm once more enthralled Van de Water. 

He had given up his trip to Mexico for the pres- 
ent, as the insurrections there had grown into such 
magnitude as to not warrant one’s safety and his 
mining properties there had been listed with the 
Government^ all works shut down and therefore 
there was nothing to go for until the disturbances 
ceased. 

Seepa Zata, dressed in the current style, in all her 
glorious womanhood, the picture of perfect health 
and vitality, and with her expressive countenance, 
her hashing lustrous eyes, her red impressive lips, 
and lithesome rounded form, seemed possessed of the 
very spirit of mischief, and Hohle Van de Water, 
having already had the passion of life awakened in 
him after years of tranquillity, the desperate wish 
to live fully — as he had lived — ^took mad possession 
of him and he had already forgotten himself, and 
lived again only in the present. 

The Indian maid had remembered Van de Wa- 
ter’s promise that she might come to Mountain 
137 


'2Btot6et0 


Home after Geraldine departed and accordingly, 
within a surprisingly short space of time after she 
had left, Seepa Zata had installed herself in the Eng- 
lish garden and where to await the return of the 
^^Great White Chief/’ 

Great would have been his surprise to have found 
her at Mountain Home, upon his return, as he had 
quite forgotten the promise given, but after regain- 
ing consciousness and opening his eyes, to find him- 
self between soft white wool blankets, with the large, 
luminous, anxious eyes of this child of nature, as 
he had been wont to call her, looking into his, he 
had taken it as a matter of course that it was what 
was to he expected from the Indian girl who had 
been his faithful companion on so many journeys 
thru the forest in years gone by. 

The pains that racked his body were eased by the 
hot-water hags brought, and the gentle massage given 
by the hands of Seepa Zata! her hands soothed his 
hot brow and smoothed the sheets and pillows. Her 
hands brought the dainty dishes of light soup, and 
later the trays of nicely prepared food that built 
up his strength. 

It was her soft warm lips that kissed him good 
night, just before she turned off the soft shaded 
lights, after which she sat by the bedside until he 
slept, and then stole quietly to the nearby couch 
from which she would awaken at his slightest move- 
ment. 

This child of nature had grovm on his fancy until 
she was, indeed, his princess. They had visited the 
wonderful waterfall, where Seepa Zata had pre- 
viously awaited the coming of her ‘^Great White 
138 


^rotfters 


Chief,” and where he had found her with uplifted 
hands as she asked the All-Wise, and All-Powerful, 
one to give her her heart’s desire and send away 
from Mountain Home the beautiful lady. 

They had visited the cave and had explored it 
much farther than Van de Water had been able to 
do on his former visit, and the wonders they found 
there words could not describe. 

Swimming in the pool was being indulged in to 
the great delight of both, and the flower-scented, 
star-lit garden and the warmth of the water com- 
bined to make the ideal allurement. 

They now slept in the pergola, under the rose and 
vine-covered roof and the witchery of the star- 
studded skies, and the happiness of Seepa Zata was 
never exceeded by human being. 

She petted the soft-eyed fawns, gathered flowers 
by the armful and artistically arranged them, in the 
large Japanese vases and flber baskets, throughout 
the bungalow. This child of nature who loved flow- 
ers as the Mohammed loves his religion, or the Jap- 
anese his Pigi Mountain ! 

Her interest in the bungalow never waned; she 
took upon herself some of the responsibilities of lit- 
tle household cares formerly left entirely to the 
servants, and Van de Water often found her seated 
at the dainty sewing-table seemingly taking great 
delight in the mending of his hose, and replacing 
buttons as occasion required, on his wearing apparel 
— necessities heretofore neglected. She seemed 
never to he idle, and took great delight in carefully 
and systematically arranging the contents of draw- 
ers throughout the bedrooms, and especially looking 
139 


':i5rotl)et0 


after Van de Water’s fine linens. He continually 
found Her striving to do for, and to please, him in 
every imaginable ’way, and apparently happy in the 
doing thereof. 

She sang and warbled the day long — ^her rich 
contralto voice echoing throughout the bungalow 
and the forests ! She laughed her gloriously hearty 
laugh — ^the notes of which echoed in the very tree- 
tops and the sky above, and she talked in her low 
modulated voice the sweetest language her ‘^Great 
White Chief” had ever heard — ^her mellow voice 
caressing him. 

She would place her soft arms around his neck, 
and looking up into his face with her wonderful 
eyes, with their dancing lights, and standing on tip- 
toe would place her warm, moist, red lips linger- 
ingly to his! What wonder that ISToble Van de 
Water forgot himself and lived only in the present. 


140 


CHAPTER XYIII 


^Veighing anchor’^ 

It was now the latter part of September and Van 
de Water still lingered at Mountain Home. 

Several letters had been received from Paul Gib- 
son! Paul Gibson the stern driving man of busi- 
ness, who seldom took time to write a letter and 
who, instead, was in the habit of sending telegram- 
letters because they consumed less time, but the let- 
ters received at Mountain Home were not telegram- 
letters and neither were they typewritten letters, 
but letters written in long-band — a bold masterful 
band, and letters of pure, kindly, good comrade- 
ship! The first one received had been answered by 
Seepa Zata, at Van de Water’s request, in a fine 
delicate round band, and telling bis friend of bis 
illness, and also of bis speedy recovery under the 
guiding bands of bis faithful nurse, “The Princess” 
as be now called Seepa Zata. 

The other letters he had answered himself, in a 
much guarded manner. He could not understand 
the tone of Paul Gibson’s letters, and in endeavor- 
ing to read between the lines be failed to fathom, 
or understand, this man of determination, iron and 
steel. 

Paul Gibson bad made it plain, yes, doubly so, 
141 


'IBrotfters 


that he was pleased to have his wife spend a month 
with him in the mountains, and he was also making 
it doubly plain, in his letters, that he still was 
pleased that she had done so, and also that he would 
be pleased to have her repeat her visit at some fu- 
ture time, and he had also made it doubly plain 
that Van de Water^s presence, at his ISTew York 
home, would be welcome at any time and especially 
so by himself — ^the sooner the better, he had written. 

Van de Water had studied long and hard over the 
contents of these letters and his friend’s attitude, 
but it seemed the more he studied the further he 
drifted from the real solution of the problem. 

Other letters had come, the paper being of won- 
derful fineness and beauty in its texture, and with 
the new colors of saxe-blue and antelope, from Ger- 
aldine, and all breathing the eloquent language of 
admiration and love. 

The strong member of his firm of solicitors at 
Seattle had run up to see him, staying the day and 
the greater part of the night, and returning on the 
early morning train in order to be at his office for 
the morning’s work. It was his first visit to Moun- 
tain Home, and he was greatly impressed by the 
luxurious car that met him at the railway station, 
and the grandeur displayed at Mountain Home. 

He also had his misgivings as to the advisability 
of his client’s seemingly friendly association with 
the beautiful nurse installed there — the ^Tndian 
Princess,” as Van de Water had introduced her, 
who had such large luminous eyes, such beautiful 
hair which was worn in long braids and hung far 
below her waist line, whose face was of such lovely 
142 


'JStothm 


contour and whose poise of the head, uplifted chin, 
general deportment and manner of speaking indi- 
cated the real Princess, instead of the Indian girl — ■ 
the child of nature — ^Van de Water had explained 
her to be. 

Her exquisite table manners and interesting con- 
versation, as she talked in her soft delightful voice 
and told him of the magic forests, enthralled him, 
and many a time after leaving he thought of the 
winsome maid and with stern set lips shook his big 
gray head, as he still doubted the advisability of his 
client retaining the services of his nurse longer than 
his illness absolutely demanded, and many a time 
had he seriously thought of writing his most valu- 
able client regarding the subject, but the longer he 
delayed doing so the more difficult seemed the task, 
with the result that he had failed to do as his con- 
science dictated. 

The evenings were now growing cool in the moun- 
tains, and the grate fires being used throughout the 
house illuminated with their brilliancy the dining 
table and later the reclining figures of Van de 
Water and his ^Tndian Princess” as they read or 
conversed. 

It was a great school for Seepa Zata and she 
gathered knowledge daily. In the evening as they 
reclined at full length on piles of soft rugs, in front 
of the red dying embers in the huge grate^ and Van 
de Water told her of the outside world — things she 
had never known or dreamed of, she listened eagerly ; 
every word of which was stored away in her memory 
to be of use to her later. 

Van de Water usually unruffled under any cir- 
143 


'Igtotftcrg 

cumstances or conditions, like his solicitor, had also 
shook his head when at times he had stopped, in his 
mad course, for a moment to think of the conse- 
quences of his liaison with this Indian maid. He 
had no intention of marrying her! He to be a 
Squaw-man! Ho, never! His ambitious nature, 
the traditions of his forefathers, forbade any such 
action ! 

True it was that Seepa Zata seemed to him a 
Princess in disguise, but she would not be so con- 
sidered by others. Should he he mad enough to 
marry her, a Squaw-man he would he considered — 
and God forbid ! 

He had never thought of marrying at all, or if 
such thoughts had ever dwelt within him for a mo- 
ment the time had seemed very far away indeed, 
and then later when he had met Geraldine and he 
became infatuated with her, thoughts of any other 
woman passed quickly from him. 

He had never thought of being able to possess the 
woman of his choice because of her being already 
married to a man he considered his best friend. 

The circumstances leading up to his liaison with 
these two women were purely accidental as far as 
he was concerned, but now that circumstances had 
brought about the result which it had and his pas- 
sion was subdued and spent, cooler and more san- 
guine thoughts came to him and he reviewed the 
situation with practical eyes and mind, and the 
thoughts of his present predicament stunned him. 
He could not shake himself free of its grave conse- 
quences and his responsibilities. 

How was he to contend with it ! How was he to 
144 


'Btotfters 


reckon with Seepa Zata! On one occasion when he 
had fnlly concluded to broach the subject to her this 
beautiful creature, with eyes full of mischief, love 
and happiness, had closed his lips with hers and 
with bare arms drew him close, causing his pulses to 
throb, as he took her in his strong arms ! Yes, how 
was he to reckon with this beautiful impulsive 
creature ! All night he had thought out the wisdom 
of ending it all by leaving suddenly — going some- 
where, anywhere! Perhaps abroad! And the 
strength of his determination only grew as the early 
gray of the dawn increased. 

If he could only get away from this intoxication 
of the senses he would be able to collect himself 
and decide upon a definite course of action and de- 
fine his future course in the matter. Therefore on 
this particular day, after a moment of portentous 
silence, he had told his ^Trincess^’ of his going; a 
business trip, he explained, that might keep him a 
couple of weeks — or perhaps longer. 

Seepa Zata showed a troubled face for a moment, 
but the thoughts of a couple of weeks’ separation 
only caused her to smile and appear extremely happy 
as she told her ‘^Great White Chief” that his little 
Princess would be waiting for him when he re- 
turned, and his coming would be anxiously looked 
forward to and her heart be made glad again by his 
presence. In the meantime, she explained, she 
would resume her former habits by living with her 
people, and by seeking the pleasures of the great 
forest, on the back of her fleet Indian pony. 

Van de Water offered her Ya-La-Hla, as a present, 
and altho her beautiful eyes shone happy at the 
145 


“Btotljers! 


thought, she refused saying that she preferred to 
ride the beautiful horse only when with her ‘^Great 
White Chief 

They were on the lawn and she laughed her glori- 
ous laugh as they separated, she going on to the 
house, and he, turning for a walk under the trees, 
looked after the young figure speeding over the 
green lawn, her long shadow hurrying before her, 
with regret and pain plainly visible on his counte- 
nance. 

Thus it was that Van de Water left Mountain 
Home, with Sano Saito and the hounds in charge, 
instructing his faithful servant to keep a watchful 
eye during his absence, and to look after his inter- 
ests as he had in the past, and with the promise that, 
if he did so faithfully, upon his return he would 
give him leave of absence and defray his expenses 
to return to his native country and bring his affi- 
anced bride to Mountain Home. 

Immediately after his Master’s departure Sano 
Saito set about, with his assistants, practically to 
close the immense bungalow, and to prepare to har- 
vest the garden fruit and vegetables, placing every- 
thing in readiness for the coming of the rainy sea- 
son and which would soon be at hand. Huge piles 
of dirt would be removed from the conservatory and 
replaced with fresh soil for the raising of fresh 
vegetables, and flowers for winter use, for whenever 
the Master came in mid-winter he enjoyed the fresh 
vegetables and the fresh-cut, beautiful flowers as 
much as during the summer months. It was the 
greatest delight of Sano Saito to be able to bring the 
beautiful red poinsettias and other flowers, at his 
146 


1Brotf)cr$ 


Master’s slightest request. He took the greatest hap- 
piness and pride in his flowers, which is well known 
to be one of the greatest, and most interesting, studies 
of the Japanese people — an inheritance from ances- 
tors, who have studied for generations flowers for 
profit and pleasure. 


147 


CHAPTER XIX 


NEW ACQUAINTANCES 

Upon reaching Seattle, and after spending three 
days calling on his attorneys and arranging busi- 
ness matters, Xoble Van de Water took passage for 
Australia — Australia, the most completely isolated 
of the great lands of the world. 

A six weeks’ voyage. He did not know how long 
he would remain there, or where he would go from 
there. His one thought was to get away from 
everything and everybody that he had ever known 
before. He knew the voyage would be of little, if 
any, interest to him, hut it would serve to pass the 
days, and during the voyage he would have ample 
time for reflection, and since he would he unable 
to turn back, at least before reaching the first port 
of landing, Honolulu, it would give him time to 
overcome any momentary impulse to retrace his 
steps. 

The large steamship from the Orient awaiting 
him at the wharf was an interesting and suggestive 
object. The excitement attending the preparations 
for departure of an ocean going vessel is something 
decidedly different from commonplace; and the dock 
atmosphere seems to be charged with expectancy of 
what will next happen. The rumbling of wagon and 
148 




cart wheels, and the tramping of the horses’ feet as 
they are driven over the heavy plank flooring, which 
is supported by long piling which reaches down thru 
the water into the earth below ; the chug-chug of the 
motor cars and motor trucks — large and otherwise, 
and baggage of all description, crates and bales of 
both huge and smaller dimensions; the heavy cranes 
which creak and groan; the rattling of machinery 
and chains; the shouts and cries, the hurry and 
confusion, and the peculiar cry of the sea-gulls — 
all mingle to create an entirely different atmosphere 
from the common everyday life. 

To watch the faces of the people of all nationali- 
ties ; the turbaned Hindoos and gorgeously clad mer- 
chants of the Orient; the French with excitable 
temperament and quick hasty actions; the yellow- 
skinned Japanese, and the Chinaman with his long 
cue; the Arab with his tarboosh — all mingling with 
the crowd; the faces of some sad while others are 
happy with laughter. The exhilaration of it all 
seems to lift one out of himself and into another 
world, but not so with Hoble Van de Water. 

It formed merely a noisy background for his 
mood, which was self-centered and depressed. In 
the unbearableness of his anguish, he lost sight of 
objects as he passed them; he lost all memory of 
what he did. In a normal mood he would have 
studied the faces around him and profited by the 
scenes being enacted before him, but the remorse 
and responsibilities of his past acts weighed him 
down, and he walked the gang-plank seeing nothing, 
hearing nothing, and going direct to his stateroom 
suite where he remained until the steamship was 
149 


Igtat&erg 

well under way and had passed from the Sound into 
the ocean proper. 

During the first nights aboard the great steam- 
ship he had dreams that woke him with their hor- 
rors, and he found himself with beads of perspira- 
tion on his forehead and with eyes bulging while 
he trembled as a leaf on the tree-top. This strong 
man of athletic build and poise. This man of giant- 
like strength! 

His first dream was of Geraldine. He dreamed 
that in running down a steep incline to cross a 
mountain stream he was forced to step on the dead 
body of Geraldine, partially submerged in the run- 
ning water. The horror of it awoke him with a 
cry, and a bound, that landed him partially on the 
floor and partially against the opposite wall of his 
stateroom with such force that his right arm re- 
ceived a bad sprain which caused it to be carried in 
a sling for a good portion of the voyage. 

The second dream was of Seepa Zata! Her am- 
putated hand grasped his, lingeringly and cares- 
singly, and he could not shake it free! The hand, 
apparently, was not dead, but alive! It fondled 
his and held it tightly as hers had done so many 
times during the past two months. Blood dripped 
from the wrist where the hand had been amputated 
and the unexplainable horror of it all caused Van 
de Water to shudder for days after, whenever his 
mind reverted to the horrible dream. 

He was not a so-called believer in dreams and he 
had never had anything in common with them, but 
these dreams were portentous of some evil to befall 
150 


'IBtotftctg 

either Geraldine or his ^Trincess,” or both, he felt 
sure. 

The horror of the dreams together with the re- 
sponsibilities and remorse, and the thoughts of his 
past acts — ^the grave consequences of which he could 
not shake himself free, all stunned him, and if ever 
man suffered the torments of Dante’s Inferno, Hoble 
Van de Water did during the first weeks of his voy- 
age across the wide expanse of water which the mag- 
nificent steamship traveled. 

His inclinations and desires were to turn hack 
from the first port of landing, Honolulu. The 
thoughts of the pleasures awaiting him at Moun- 
tain Home pulled at his very heart strings. 

After the first week, and the horror of his earlier 
dreams had partially passed from him, and he had 
come to think of them only as dreams, he continu- 
ally dreamed of his ^Trincess” whose very presence 
seemed to enfold him, and whose love uplifted him. 
He felt her soft, warm, moist lips against his, and 
her round arms clasp him in their fond embrace. 
During his waking hours his mind constantly re- 
verted to her and he lived over again the delicious 
hours spent with her. However strong were his 
inclinations and desires to turn back, he mastered 
them by the one thought, his great aversion to being 
a ^^Squaw-man !” The fight was a bitter one, but 
the aversion was so strong that he forced himself, 
even against his own will, to continue on his voyage 
to far away Australia. 

Heading was out of the question, as he could not 
keep his mind centered on the printed pages, and 
therefore there was nothing to do but pace the long 
151 


“IBrotljew 


decks. He appeared early every morning, and the 
invigorating salt air gave him an appetite and 
brought the color to his face. The long-continued 
exercise, as his eyes rested on the rolling and break- 
ing waves, finally quieted his nerves and caused him 
to sleep, the sleep that passed away a part of the 
time which hung so heavily on his hands during the 
long voyage. 

During the forepart of the voyage he had kept 
aloof from every one. He could not bring himself 
to associate with any one. He wanted every mo- 
ment to think! Think! Think! To think and 
study out the problem engulfing him. 

His meals were served in his stateroom suite, 
where no one could talk to him or interrupt his train 
of thought. Some time after leaving Honolulu, he 
had become more like the Hoble Van de Water 
of old; more composed and more the man of delib- 
eration and dilatory tactics, he ate at the table in 
the mammoth dining-room, and conversed with those 
with whom he came in contact. 

Many eyes watched him ; this man of reserve and 
aloofness and of whom they had seen so little. His 
reserved manner, and winning smile when he con- 
versed, won him friends and not many days passed 
before every one aboard was seemingly seeking his 
acquaintance — such was the magnetism which 
Hoble Van de Water seemed to possess. 

He met and talked intelligently with men from 
every comer of the globe. He conversed with Hew 
York capitalists and bankers from abroad. He met 
a South American tunnel builder, who was doing 
extensive railway work in China, and from whom he 
152 


'Btotljets 


gained much valuable information. He talked with 
a railroad contractor and builder from Alaska, of 
the land of gold, and of the famous mines and the 
wonderful coal deposits there — all the information 
being of great interest to Hoble Van de Water, and 
all of which was considered by him a valuable asset. 

The most interesting character aboard, to Van de 
Water’s notion, was a man who answered to the 
brief name of Zebb Tart. A broad shouldered, griz- 
zled mountaineer, eccentric but with a huge fund of 
kindness. 

Van de Water knew that he had looked with pity, 
if not with contempt, upon his rather pale face and 
soft hands, but as the color came to his face and 
afterward when he produced a seasoned cob pipe, 
and began to pull on it, he could see that the old 
Mountaineer’s estimation of him increased mani- 
fold — the said cob pipe being produced for exactly 
the effect which it seemed to have. 

The name itself, thought Van de Water, was 
enough to interest one, but even before he learned 
his name he became greatly interested in his con- 
versation. Zebb Tart was a most peculiar character 
— an enthusiastic student of Shakespeare, a pioneer 
of the Kocky Mountains, from whose log cabin on 
the mountainside many a wanderer had departed 
fed and warmed. To the few who were permitted 
to enter into closest friendship with him he revealed 
a rare and apparently inexhaustible fund of knowl- 
edge, anecdotes, and trials in the western mountains. 

Kough and uncouth, but a man with a big heart, 
and generous to a fault, a mining prospector of the 
old school. His sun and wind tanned face and 
153 


'Brotftet0 


rough calloused hands; his grizzled hair and beard 
all attested to the fact of his being a veteran in his 
life’s chosen work. Like all prospectors, he was op- 
timistic, and like a greater majority of his chosen 
profession he was poor in this world’s goods but rich 
in knowledge pertaining to ores and mining, and 
also rich in experience — and prospects! 

Accompanying him was his promoter. Colonel 
Thaddeus Oliver Hess. Colonel Thaddeus Oliver 
Hess was a promoter pure and simple. In his ex- 
pansiveness of avoirdupois, good nature, generous 
lordly manner and seeming beneficence toward all 
mankind, he excelled all others. In his far-seeing 
eye, which looked over and beyond you, there seemed 
knowledge unmistakably far superior to your own. 
His immaculate attire denoted the man of fine 
taste, and it was characteristic of this man that, 
while he did not tell you so, you were early led to 
understand that he belonged in the millionaire class. 
To see him standing at the rear platform of the ob- 
servation car on a Transcontinental train, as the 
train slowly pulled from the station, one naturally 
judged him to he either the President, or the prin- 
cipal stockholder of the Pailway Company. Such 
was the genial, general make-up and good nature of 
Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess, all of which he him- 
self knew and understood, and which he knew to be 
his most valuable asset. 

Hoble Van de Water read him like an open book. 
He had met his kind before, and the exploitations 
of Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess concerned him 
not at all. However he cultivated his acquaintance 
and led him to talk of the Zebb Tart mining prop- 
154 


'Brotl)et0 


erty located in the Rocky Mountains of the U. S. A., 
and, seeing a probable prospective purchaser of 
stock, Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess expanded and 
talked of the possibilities of Molybdenum ore and 
the immense fortunes to be made by the fortunate 
stockholders of the ^ ^American Mining and Milling 
Co.” of Montana, in the great U. S. A. 


155 


CHAPTEK XX 


MOLYBDENUM 

The days passed aboard ship and for a solid two 
weeks Xoble Van de Water cultivated the acquain- 
tance of Zebh Tart, the prospector. Many a game of 
cribbage was played, as the dark water swept past 
the ship, and by some seemingly unaccountable rea- 
son Zebb Tart usually won the rubber, to his intense 
delight, which fact was made evident by his good 
natured chuckling laughter. 

It was hard for one to resist the genuine smiles 
Xoble Van de Water lavished when intent on win- 
ning a man’s confidence. The broad shouldered, 
grizzled mountaineer was no exception to the gen- 
eral rule, and being susceptible to kindness it was 
thus that many hours were passed in talking of 
things, the farthest possible from the knowledge 
which Xoble Van de Water really wished to obtain, 
regarding the wonderful ore which the prospector 
claimed to have discovered, and of the mining 
claims which he owned. Xoble Van de Water’s dil- 
atory tactics were again being used and There is 
time enough to ascertain the knowledge I wish to 
know after cultivating his acquaintance and win- 
ning his confidence,” he was wont to say to himself 
daily. One evening after an early twilight dinner, 
156 


'15rotf)er0 


which had been served and partaken of in Van de 
Water’s stateroom suite, and they had become seated 
outside, Noble Van de Water pulling at his cob 
pipe- .... 

^^Gittin kinda worrisome!” began the grizzled 
prospector, gazing far distant over the broad dark 
blue expanse of water, and stretching out one leg 
full length in order that he might get his hand into 
the pocket of his corduroys for his tobacco. 

Noble Van de Water turned his head, as he 
puffed the blue smoke, to look at the veteran of 
many a mining delusion, and finally, in a casual 
manner, said : 

^‘By the way, Mr. Tart, regarding that very valu- 
able ore which you and your friend, the Colonel, 
were telling me about, let me see what was it you 
called it ? What is the name of it 

^‘The name of it,” replied his companion, between 
puffs, as he lighted his strong pipe — meerschaum — • 
a relic of his younger days, ^fis spelled m-o-l-y-b-d-e- 
n-u-m and it is pronounced mol-ib-de-num. It’s a 
rare metallic metal, of which very little is known 
and the world produces, to-day, a very small quan- 
tity. Some fifteen tons are annually produced in 
the United States, while Australia produces about 
fifty tons per annum, which is more than is produced 
by all the rest of the world combined.” 

^The difficulty has been that only small pockets 
have ever before been found — small pockets the size 
of your hand, and thin veins, found when mining 
other ores, is the extent of the production so far.” 

understood you to say that this ore, owing to 
its scarcity, is very valuable,” said Van de Water 
157 


'Btotljets! 


between puffs, ^^and that this metallic metal has a 
melting point so high that it cannot be directly 
melted into a mass, but, with proper treatment simi- 
lar to that of tungsten, may be made into wire whose 
tensile strength is unsurpassed, and that it offers, 
in other fields, possibilities not possessed by any 
other metal. It occurs to me,” continued Van de 
Water, ‘^that you should have no trouble in dispos- 
ing of what stock you wish to, if you have the large 
quantity of this exceedingly valuable ore which you 
seem to think you have.” 

^^True enough,” replied the old prospector, ^^but 
the trouble is that no one will believe that I have 
the proposition which I have. It sounds too big! 
It frightens people!” 

^^I understand,” continued Van de Water, with a 
careless yawn, “that your company is incorporated 
for five hundred thousand shares, par value one 
dollar per share, and that you have set aside some 
two hundred thousand shares for treasury stock, 
and still have three hundred thousand shares — the 
majority of which you wish to retain yourself in 
order to have a controlling interest, and the remain- 
ing one hundred and forty-nine thousand shares 
you wish to sell for the purpose of raising the 
money for the purchase, and the installment of, 
the necessary machinery, and the further develop- 
ment of the mine.” 

“That is kerrect,” replied the man of molybde- 
nite. 

“I understand also,” further continued Van de 
Water, “that your claims are located in the United 
States, in Montana, and in the Kocky Mountains.” 

158 


'Brotftets 


^^Kerrect,” replied the man of the meerschaum 
pipe. 

‘‘Then why do you have to go to far away Aus- 
tralia to sell your stock, as I understand you are 
doing,’’ kindly inquired his questioner. “Why not 
dispose of it at home ?” 

“Be-kase,” replied the veteran of the mountains, 
“people there will not believe me. They do not 
savvy what I have there. In Australia where they 
produce more molybdenum than all the rest of the 
world, and know what it is, I had kalkelated I 
should be able to sell it, and incidentally, while 
there, look into their methods of handling and treat- 
ing the ore to the best advantage. Colonel Hess, 
an experienced seller of mining stock, I reckoned 
could handle that end of it better than I, and be- 
sides I had no money to make the long journey, and 
he felt so darned confident about it all, he offered to 
furnish the money necessary, and in consideration 
of which that he would receive a commission on all 
the stock sold.” 

“Oh! I understand now,” replied Van de Water. 
“About how much of this stuff did you say you think 
you have there?” asked Van de Water cautiously as 
he felt, with his fingers, the piece of black-gray, oily 
ore while examining it closely with a glass. 

“A whole mountain of it! One fourteen foot 
vein, if it goes clear thru the mountain, as we sus- 
pect, figures out, so the engineers, who staked out 
my claim, say, about twenty-five million tons of 
ore, and it assays, so far, from twenty-six and one- 
fourth per cent, to thirty-three and one-third per 
cent, pure molybdenum. To figure it at twenty- 
159 


OBrotfters 


five per cent, would give me six hundred and 
twenty-five thousand tons, and the present market 
price is about forty cents per pound, or eight hun- 
dred dollars per ton.” 

‘^Ah! I see,” replied Van de Water, and continu- 
ing, ^^That would figure up something like five hun- 
dred millions of dollars, I take it! A snug sum, 
but how much do you figure it would cost to mine 
this ore, treat it and put it on the market ?” 

‘We have it figured that by mining and treating 
twelve tons of rock per day, we would get three tons 
of concentrates, or pure molybdenum,” replied the 
grizzled mountaineer, his face showing great en- 
thusiasm as he spoke ; “and at forty cents per pound, 
or eight hundred dollars per ton, it would figure 
two thousand four hundred dollars per day, with 
an expense of — say, not over four hundred dollars. 
To double our capacity would, of course, double our 
profits and increase the same to four thousand dol- 
lars per day, or one hundred and twenty thousand 
dollars per month, or one million four hundred and 
forty thousand dollars per year!” 

“Koughly speaking then,” said Van de Water, 
“you figure to pay annually nearly one and a half 
million dollars on five hundred thousand shares of 
stock, or nearly three for one !” 

“That’s what I kalkelate,” grinned the veteran of 
the mountains, his face flushed with excitement and 
his bright eyes dancing. 

“IsTo wonder you cannot sell your stock,” replied 
Van de Water, “as you say — it sounds too big, and 
too much on the order of ‘Get-rich-quick-Walling- 
ford!’ of magazine fame. However, to come right 
160 


'Btotfiers: 


down to business, if after looking into this matter 
of the scarcity of this particular ore, I find what you 
say to be true, the price what you say, and I find 
the possibilities of treating the ore within our reach, 
would you consider a proposition from me to buy the 
entire block of stock at a reasonable figure, say one 
hundred thousand dollars cash and I take over your 
claims, install the necessary machinery and operate 
them, giving you say ten per cent, of all the profits 
for ten years? Ten per cent, of the profits, as you 
figure the income from the property, would amount 
to one hundred and forty-four thousand dollars an- 
nually! However, if it is a success and everything 
goes right, I know of no reason why the capacity 
you mention should not be doubled, and in that case 
your income would also be doubled 

The fire of conquest was again in Hoble Van de 
Water’s veins, and his eyes shone as he talked. He 
needed some big undertaking, some great work, he 
argued with himself, to take him out of himself and 
bring him back to his old self once more — the man 
of business and activity. 

Zebb Tart, the grizzled mountaineer, was quick 
to decide important questions, and after a few mo- 
ments’ further conversation he decided to accept the 
proposition, and therefore in due course of time, the 
necessary papers were drawn up and signed aboard- 
ship, and an option taken on the holdings of the 
‘^American Mining & Milling Co.,” of Montana, 
U. S. A., and the necessary sum paid in hand to the 
grizzled, broad-shouldered man of the mountains. 

The option ran for ninety days, which would give 
ample time for investigation of the possibilities 
161 


OBrotijers; 


of handling the molybdenum ore in quantities to 
warrant the expenditure of the large amount of 
money to go forward with the proposition. 

Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess was to be kept in 
ignorance of the option having been given on the 
“American Mining and Milling Co.” until a later 
date, and he continued to entertain anyone who 
would listen to him with his tales of untold wealth 
heretofore hidden for centuries in molybdenite moun- 
tain, and now about to he brought forth for the 
especial benefit of all those who would buy the 
stock. 

His statements of such colossal wealth so easily 
obtainable invariably caused the faintest suspicion 
of a smile to flicker, for a second, across the faces of 
his listeners. 

His closing sentence invariably was, as his im- 
maculate white silk handkerchief absorbed the per- 
spiration from his florid face, “As to production, 
and cost of production, we have all competitors 
wiped off the map !” 

As they neared Sydney, Van de Water and Zebb 
Tart had formulated their plans whereby they 
thought they would gain the most time, and informa- 
tion sought, and immediately upon their arrival 
they were to leave Sydney, journey up the coast and 
into the interior where molybdenum ore was being 
mined and treated, and where they would be able to 
obtain all the information necessary, after which 
they would start on their return trip as quickly as' 
possible. 


162 


CHAPTEE XXI 


THE CAMP 

The return voyage was uneventful. The early 
mornings found Xoble Van de Water, regardless 
of the weather, striding the decks — and later, with 
elbows resting on the railing as he planned out 
many details of his new work — ^the taking of here- 
tofore unheard of fortunes from the rocks in far 
away Montana, and he likewise also often wondered 
if his plans would prove feasible. His thoughts, 
too, reverted to Geraldine and also to Seepa Zata, as 
they had many, many times during his short stay in 
Australia, and as the fond memories of the many 
happy hours passed with each flooded him, he could 
but rejoice that the thousands and thousands of 
miles which had separated them were being lessened 
as rapidly as possible. Hot that he ever expected 
to see either again ! God forbid ! Two simple rea- 
sons made it impossible. Geraldine being the wife 
of his friend Paul Gibson, and Seepa Zata being of 
Indian blood. However, it was none the less true 
that his pulses quickened at the thought of being 
nearer them. 

He had formulated a plan in his own mind, where- 
by he would establish a fund for the further edu- 
cating of Seepa Zata. He would have her sent East 
163 


'Brotl)et0 


to some Girl’s Seminary where she could finish her 
education, and also take up the languages and music. 
For any wrong he had done her he would atone in 
this manner. He had no thought of ever marrying ! 
Ho, the pleasures he had already enjoyed would 
suffice for a lifetime. He would live only in the 
thoughts of the happy days already spent with Ger- 
aldine and Seepa Zata, at Mountain Home. 

The afternoons usually found him in the wire- 
screened inclosed tennis court, arranged on the com- 
modious deck, enjoying the game with other lovers 
of the sport; also on the miniature golf links, or 
taking exercise playing hand-ball, while the evenings 
were either spent in playing cribbage with the 
grizzled mountaineer, or bridge with newly made 
acquaintances and Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess, 
who, invariably in his enthusiasm, would break into 
the game with the remark: tell you. Van de 

Water, when it comes to production and cheapness 
of production, we have all competitors backed off 
the map !” However, they were not interrupted by 
the Colonel’s bursts of enthusiasm during the last 
ten days or so of the voyage, as he remained at Hono- 
lulu, as he said, to form the acquaintance of Queen 
Liliuokalani, pick a few dozen pineapples, watch 
the coin-divers, and take a few swims in the ocean 
proper, where he would have sufficient room for a 
man of his avoirdupois. 

Of Australia Van de Water remembered but lit- 
tle. In his feverish haste to obtain the information 
he desired, regarding molybdenum ore and the treat- 
ing thereof, he had passed by everything else with 
but little, if any, interest. The irregular and nar- 
164 


'lBtot!)et0 


row streets of Sydney, the chief shipping port of 
Australia, did not appeal to him, and the trip up a 
rather sluggish river for a distance of two hundred 
miles, with a motor boat, together with the veteran, 
Zebb Tart, and a competent aborigine guide had 
been a tedious experience, and he was heartily glad 
to be homeward hound. The humming of the motor 
boat had brought many an aborigine to the banks of 
the river to gaze upon a boat moving up stream, with 
three men in it, propelled by an unseen power. It 
was the beginning of a new epoch on a river where 
heretofore they had depended on their own exer- 
tions, with oars fashioned out of trees with an ax. 

What little he had heard and seen of Australia 
had not impressed him very favorably. True he 
had not seen much of it, but he thought of it only 
as a country isolated from the rest of the world. 
The land of extinct volcanic craters, kangaroos and 
innumerable rabbits. A land of rich gold and silver 
mines, and fossils; glacial deposits and immense 
coal fields; gum trees — ^the tallest in the world — 
the eucalyptus. Innumerable plateaus and heaving 
sand-dunes; basalt plains, and its ferocious tiger 
snakes — said to have the most poisonous venom of 
any snake known. 

True enough it might be a great wool producing 
country and the prospects for gold and silver mining 
alluring, but as a whole it did not appeal to him, 
and the most pleasant things he remembered of Aus- 
tralia, strange as it may seem, was a blaze of mus- 
tard yellow on the river banks and hillsides where 
the wattles were in bloom, and the audacious birds 
of brilliant and vivid colored plumage. The gor- 
165 


“Brotlbers! 


geously tinted birds bad interested Van de Water 
greatly, and several specimens bad been shipped to 
the far away Mountain Home in the Cascades. 

Upon his return to the United States, and land- 
ing at San Francisco, Hoble Van de Water immedi- 
ately became busy with the telegraph wires, to locate 
and summon his little army of mining men who had 
been with him in Mexico. There was Pete and 
Jack, Tom and ^^Big BilF’ and a dozen other trusty 
men that he now needed and all of whom would 
come at his call, and as fast as he could locate them. 

He had secured all the information necessary re- 
garding the ordering of the machinery for his new 
venture — some of which had been already shipped 
direct from Australia, and the balance had been or- 
dered by cable from Honolulu. 

He had taken a chance on the prospect — for a 
^^prospect’’ was all it was — ^being all that the griz- 
zled mountaineer had represented it to be. The ore 
shown by Zebb Tart Van de Water had had assayed 
in Sydney, and it was shown to be thirty-three and 
one-third per cent, molybdenum, and it now only 
remained to investigate the size of the deposit, as 
quick as he could get to Montana. 

Ho thought of visiting Mountain Home, en route, 
had occurred to him. He would go direct, by the 
nearest route, to Montana and the Kocky Moun- 
tains, and to the ^^American Mining and Milling 
Co.’s’’ property. He had wired a couple of Seattle 
civil engineers, and engaged their services for an 
indefinite period, and they were to meet him in 
Montana. 

Another ten days, or two weeks, would see him 

166 




the harness’’ again, as he expressed it. ^^He 
had idled away quite time enough,” he said. He 
was exceedingly enthusiastic over the proposition, 
and it would be a big game to fight and win. 

He had received reports, at San Francisco^ from 
all his other business interests, and everything was 
running smoothly and satisfactorily. His Seattle 
bankers had been notified of his intended purchase, 
and it would take but a few hours to close the deal 
for the molybdenum property, after his engineers 
had looked over the proposition and made their re- 
port. 

Arriving, they found the mountains full of snow. 
The property was nine miles from the Transconti- 
nental line of Kailway, and with an unbroken road 
there was no way to get to it only on snowshoes, 
with which the party had been provided at the sug- 
gestion of Zebb Tart. 

The two engineers, ^The Grizzly Bear,” as the 
engineers Had already, good naturedly, christened 
the prospector, Hoble Van de Water and a Japanese 
cook comprised the party. Each carrying a roll of 
blankets and what provisions they could, and they 
found it a hard pull and a tough climb. 

Upon arrival the solemn beauty of the silent woods 
caused ISToble Van de Water to think much of Moun- 
tain Home, but the seemingly scrubby pines con- 
trasted strangely with thoughts of his own forest 
of mighty trees. 

It had taken the greater part of the day to make 
the nine miles on snowshoes, and all were tired and 
hungry. They, immediately upon arrival, set about 
making camp by starting fires in the shacks, and the 
167 


IBrotfiets 


cook prepared their first meal, which consisted of 
fried bacon, hot biscuits and hot coffee, after which 
pipes were lighted and the work for the morrow 
talked over and laid out. 

Every one was busy and the days flew rapidly by. 
The snow had been shoveled from the mouth of the 
tunnel; the old gasolene engine had been started, 
after considerable effort, and the fresh air pumped 
into the long tunnel. The compressed-air drills 
worked with maddening noise, and the vein was 
drilled and tapped at various points. They found 
everything, apparently, as had been represented by 
Zebb Tart. 

The claim had been worked by its former owner, 
who relinquished his claims to Zebb Tart just prior 
to his death, for twenty-eight years and in his eag- 
erness to find gold and silver it had never occurred 
to him that any other kind of valuable ore might 
be found there. E^o gold or silver ore was ever 
found, and the valuable molybdenum ore had been 
cast aside as fast as it was dug from out the moun- 
tain. 

The twenty-eight years of labor had tunneled the 
mountain to a depth of some seven hundred feet, 
in which the immense vein of rich molybdenum ore 
was visible a greater portion of the distance, and 
therefore many days did not elapse before E^oble Van 
de Water found himself in possession of the wonder- 
ful and heretofore unheard of large quantity of rich 
ore contained in molybdenite mountain. 

His oldtime miners and mining men, with few 
exceptions, hurried to his side, and one of the en- 
gineers remained in Van de Water’s employ. 

168 


TBrotijets 


Zebb Tart, the grizzled mountaineer, bad taken 
bis departure to visit oldtime friends and relatives 
in ^Tew England. As be received bis 'New York 
drafts, in payment for bis property, and bade Noble 
Van de Water good-bye, tbe tears streamed down 
bis brown, creased face, as tbe hardships be bad en- 
dured for tbe best part of bis lifetime were thus at 
last amply rewarded. 

An extra force of men and teams were brought 
out from tbe nearest town, some twenty miles dis- 
tant, to blast with dynamite tbe heavily packed 
snow and ice, and break tbe road up tbe mountain- 
side preparatory to hauling out tbe machinery from 
tbe railway siding, nine miles from camp, as quick 
as it should arrive. 

In due course of time the machinery came, and 
was hauled, pulled and lifted with derricks, up the 
mountainside and into place. 

Tbe old shacks bad been repaired, and several 
new ones built, for tbe accommodation of tbe work- 
men, and substantial log buildings bad been erected 
around and over the machinery. 

Busy days were these for every man in camp — 
Van de Water tbe busiest of them all. He worked 
with an energy and enthusiasm unequaled. He was 
here, there and everywhere! First in the depths 
of the mountain, and then on top. Directing tbe 
placing and setting up of tbe engines and tbe ma- 
chinery, and with all tbe rest an electric light plant 
was being installed, as Van de Water expected to 
run night and day — ^making three shifts, of eight 
hours each. 

All were enthusiastic with the exception of ''Big 

169 


'IBtotfiets! 


Bill” who talked and swore in his deep bass voice 
as he proclaimed the undertaking to be foolhardy! 

‘Twhat do ye think the dom-fool blue-black stuff 
is good for enyhow ? Aven if,” the word ^‘if” being 
emphasized sarcastically. ^^Aven if the domed stuff 
is good for enything, how in the name of the Holy 
Virgin does ye kalkelate to separate it from the rock? 
Tell me thot, will ye? ’Tis a dom fool undertaking, 
Mister Van de Water, with all doo respicts to ye, 
that ye are going at here. ’Tis fifty ton is it, thot 
Ostralia produces ! Well I’ll bet ye thot ye’r Uncle 
Doodley here has seen millions of tons of it in Ari- 
zona and Mexico and not a divil of a mon wanted it 
there! It’s no good I’m telling ye, and ye’ll rue 
the day ye ever met the Grizzly Bear, as they call 
him! A Grizzly Bear, yis, indade.” 

And thus it was that ^^Big Bill” raved. He had 
no faith in the undertaking, but his broad shoulders 
lifted many a heavy piece of timber into place, and 
he did the work of two ordinary men. 

Van de Water only smiled good naturedly at ‘^Big 
Bill’s” ravings. He knew ^^Big Bill” of old and 
he knew he was sincere but he also knew that “Big 
Bill” was ignorant and that he did not know whereof 
he talked. Van de Water had had reports of the 
United States Geological survey on molybdenum, 
from the Department of the Interior, and he knew 
that “Big Bill” was mistaken when he thought he 
had seen millions of tons of this same kind of ore. 
He had had the ore assayed, again and again, send- 
ing the specimens to Seattle, Denver, San Francisco 
and Washington, and the reports invariably cor- 
roborated the former assays of from twenty-six and 
170 


TBiothtts 


one-fourth per cent, to thirty-three and one-third 
per cent, molybdenum, and he had seen this same 
ore treated successfully in Australia, and since he 
would be mining and treating the same kind of ore 
with the same identical kind of machinery he gave 
little or no heed to ‘‘Big Bill’s’’ gloomy, discourag- 
ing talk. 

Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Htess had arrived, ar- 
rayed in soft, gray natty business suit; broad ex- 
panse of fancy vest revealing his heavy gold nugget 
watch chain. His corpulency and his two hundred 
and seventy-five pounds of avoirdupois, his lordly 
air, kind generosity and genial smile denoted the 
man of opulence and influence. His big, round, 
smooth-shaven florid face beamed with good nature 
and kindly feeling toward all mankind. His ex- 
pansive smile and hearty gripping handshake 
greeted the newcomers who flocked to “Molybdenite 
City,” as it was now known to the outside world. 
The stories he told of Honolulu were much like 
fairy tales! His short visit there, he said, only 
made him anxious to remain longer but his interests 
at Molybdenite City required his presence. He told 
of his daily swims in the beautiful warm ocean, the 
miles of palm vistas and leagues of seas in ever- 
changing blue and green and purple. The great 
fields of pineapples in all stages of growth, the 
tropical fruit he ate, the seeing of Queen Liliuoka- 
lani, and of his floating away into dreams of ecstasy 
on the musical strains of the very wonderful band, 
headed by Captain Van de Bergen adorned with 
the insignia of the German Emperor. 

A store had been opened by an enterprising new- 

171 


a5tot!)ers 


comer, wlio figured that the men of the camp would 
need working clothes, boots, hats, tobacco and pipes, 
and other places of business had also been opened 
in shacks and tents, and even the saloon was in evi- 
dence. 

A great many of the newcomers who had been at- 
tracted by the reports of such fabulous wealth which 
had been scattered broadcast were locating and fil- 
ing on claims, on which they had pitched their tents, 
and the white-tented city stretched along the side of 
the huge mountain indicated the activity of the camp. 

IToble Van de Water was the generally acknowl- 
edged leader of all affairs, and was called upon to 
settle all disputes. He was known to be honest and 
just, and his word was law in Molybdenite camp. 
Ever since the day that a noted gambler had entered 
camp and Van de Water, upon hearing of his ar- 
rival, had, at first, tried to talk to the gambler in a 
gentlemanly manner, telling him that he was not 
wanted and would not be tolerated there, and later, 
when the gambler became abusive, he had taken him 
by the immaculate shirt collar with one hand and 
had thrown and kicked him out of camp and down 
the mountain-side, and when the gambler finally 
managed to draw his gun. Van de Water, anticipat- 
ing just such a move on the part of the man of the 
green cloth, had forestalled him by shooting the gun 
from his hand, he had been the acknowledged leader 
by all the newcomers who had never known him 
before. 

Yes, Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess, in his expan- 
siveness, was there in all his glory. He constantly 
talked of the coming modern city of Molybdenite to 
172 


'Btotfiers 


be built on the side of the mountain. He planned 
for a hotel to take the place of the one-story shack 
now being used for a restaurant and which was 
run by ^‘One-eyed Pete,” a rather notorious charac- 
ter, who had drifted in from no one knew where. 

Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess planned for a public 
hall, and also a bank building; drew plans and laid 
out the townsite, preparatory to the building of the 
new city. He talked of a new railroad, to be built 
from the main line of the Transcontinental Railway, 
the nearest point accessible being some twenty miles 
distant, and to run directly up the ravine and 
through the city of Molybdenite, and on some forty 
miles farther to Coos City, an interior mining camp 
of wide renown that had suffered and waited for 
thirty years or more for a railroad. 

His huge head was held high, and he looked far 
above the heads of his listeners, as his truly pater- 
nal benevolence was made plain to them by the elo- 
quence of the language used, and the seeming im- 
possibilities he predicted were made to seem almost 
realities by the confident, generally commanding air 
which he assumed. Such were his eloquence and 
magnetism that to most of his listeners it seemed 
that, were he to wave his hand and command the 
magic city to come forth, they would but have to 
look to behold all that he had predicted. 

He told the newcomers of how he and his friend. 
Van de Water, were going to open up more claims 
just as soon as the machinery was started on the 
present proposition; of how many millions of tons 
of the exceedingly valuable ore would be mined, 
and of the immensely large payroll which Molyb- 
173 


I5totbtt0 


denite City would enjoy; of tlie large shipments of 
molybdenum which would he made from their city, 
and of how many immense fortunes would be made 
from the precious ore. The immense tonnage of the 
rich ore that would be shipped from their city would 
startle the money powers of the world and give them 
a world-wide reputation. People would come there 
from foreign countries, and he very much doubted 
if the one railroad to be built would be equal to 
the demands made upon it by the immense business 
which would surely engulf it. 

Yes, Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess was in his 
glory. He expanded and gesticulated as he talked, 
and the perspiration streaming from his face was 
absorbed by immaculate white silk handkerchiefs. 
Great responsibilities apparently rested upon his 
shoulders, and the confidential advice given all new- 
comers seemed to come from a great heart that was 
overflowing with kindness and kingly advice. 

The matter of having a post-ofiice established at 
Molybdenite City had been taken up with the gov- 
ernment at Washington, and the mail was to be 
brought into camp from the railway nine miles dis- 
tant by the stage, which now made daily trips. Colo- 
nel Thadeus Oliver Hess had kindly consented to ac- 
cept the appointment of postmaster, providing the ap- 
pointment could be secured, until some one else 
could be obtained that would be agreeable to the ma- 
jority of the inhabitants of the new city. 

And thus it was at Molybdenite City — a typical 
western mining camp in its earliest stages — ^when 
Hoble Van de Water finally, after having overcome 
many difficulties, found everything in readiness for 
174 


IBrotfictsi 


the initial starting of the machinery which was to 
grind and crush the rock, carry it on to the separa- 
tors which were to separate the rich ore from the 
crushed rock, and, as the crushed mass was to be 
run through water, the concentrates were to float 
on the water while the heavier particles of crushed 
rock would sink to the bottom. The concentrates to 
be run on and over hot copper plates, the hot plates 
drying it as it passed over, and finally into strong 
sacks holding one hundred pounds each. 

It all looked easy, and everyone, with the excep- 
tion of ^^Big Bill,” felt assured that it would be a 
great success. ‘‘Big Bill” only looked dubious and 
said nothing. Fear and misgiving were in his heart, 
and he felt fearful for Van de Water’s success. He 
knew it meant financial ruin to Van de Water if it 
should be a failure, and he very much doubted its 
being otherwise. 


175 


CHAPTER XXII 


CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE 

The long-looked-for day came at last and the pon- 
derous machinery of the ^ ^American Mining and 
Milling Co.’’ was to he started. The whole camp 
was out and, when the working of the powerful en- 
gines and the pounding of the immense crushers as 
they crushed the ore was heard, they one and all 
flocked to ‘^the works” to see what would happen. 

It was to be a holiday for the inhabitants of 
Molybdenite City, outside of ^^the works,” but the 
men of the mill never before knew such fatigue as 
was brought upon them by the anxiety and fear 
which they all experienced. 

The stage driver forgot to start on his trip, and 
there was no mid-day meal served at the restaurant, 
as there was no one there to prepare it, and like- 
wise no one there to eat it. In their anxiety and 
eagerness everything but the one all-important thing 
was forgotten. When the crowd was assembled, Col- 
onel Thaddeus Oliver Hess mounted a tree-stump 
and endeavored to address the excited and hilarious 
populace, but all efforts to attract their attention he 
found to be futile. They had listened to his prophe- 
cies long enough, and were now anxious to see reali- 
ties, so far as the producing of the valuable product 
176 


'iBtotftetis 


of which they had heard so much was concerned. He 
succeeded in attracting their attention long enough 
for the giving of three lusty cheers for Noble Van 
de Water, ^^The Captain of Industry,” who. Col- 
onel Thaddeus Oliver Hess explained, had made it 
possible for every man there to benefit by the devel- 
opment of the richest mountain in the world. 

Their cheers resounded and reechoed across the 
ravine and through the forest and the mountains, 
but were drowned by the pounding of the mighty 
crushers, which caused the earth to vibrate under 
their feet. 

The working of the machinery had been dis- 
cussed by every man in camp, and they were all 
apparently as much interested as if they owned the 
property. The success of the undertaking meant 
everything to each of them. A large percentage of 
the men in Molybdenite camp had staked their all to 
get there, and failure of the machinery to do its 
work properly meant disaster to them. 

After an hour’s rim the engine and machinery 
stopped, and after another two hours it started, but 
only continued to run a half hour before it was 
again stopped at Van de Water’s orders. 

The day wore away with alternate starting and 
stopping. The second shift went on, and likewise 
the third, making up the first twenty-four hours, and 
the roaring and pounding of the crushers was heard 
all night long, at intervals. There was no sleep in 
camp the first night. The noise of the crusher 
and the trembling of the mountain-side, caused by 
the ponderous machinery, together with the excite- 
ment and anxiety of the whole camp, kept them from 
177 


'Brotijets: 


sleeping. When the machinery was not running the 
voice of Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess could be 
heard throughout the camp, as he expounded the 
gospel of patience and self-restraint. While on 
the whole an undesirable class of men had not come 
to Molybdenite City, there were many who needed 
cooler heads to hold them down. In eveiy mining 
camp there seems a certain element that wants to 
use force, and destroy, whenever opposition con- 
fronts them, and Molybdenite camp was no excep- 
tion to the rule. An undercurrent of grumbling 
was already noticeable, and Colonel Thaddeus Oliver 
Hess never talked faster or more earnestly than dur- 
ing the periods existing between the stopping and 
the starting of the machinery which was either to 
save or destroy the new mining camp. 

The second day was a repetition of the first, and, 
as the day wore away the men became pale and hag- 
gard from want of sleep, food and rest. 

‘^Big Biir^ said nothing, but worked like a giant. 
When remonstrated with by Van de Water for not 
taking his rest, he replied: 

^That ye take me fur? Do ye think I’m some 
weaklin’ thet can’t stand as much grief as ye ? Take 
some rest yerself, dom ye, and then it will be time 
enough fer yer Uncle Doodley.” 

In this manner a week had passed and nothing 
was accomplished. The machinery worked satisfac- 
torily, but the concentrates sank to the bottom of 
the water together with the crushed rock, and formed 
an inseparable mass. At the end of the tenth day 
everyone in camp had become worn out with anxiety 
and lack of rest, and a few had already taken their 
178 


‘Brotftets! 


departure, and many more were talking of leaving, 
their confidence not being restored by the indefatiga- 
ble Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess, who had never 
worked harder or talked more eloquently to keep 
the inhabitants of Molybdenite City together to reap, 
as be said, the fortunes awaiting them there. Tears 
streamed down his smoothly shaven ruddy cheeks, 
in his apparent earnestness, as he talked of the break- 
ing up of one great family, as he now termed the 
inhabitants of the mining camp. He had, he said, 
the welfare of each member of that great family at 
heart, and he felt assured that all who left would 
return at a later date, when the world would re- 
sound with the tales of the fabulous wealth being 
taken from Molybdenite Mountain. 

IToble Van de Water, irresistibly driven with grim 
determination, nervous energy, enduring strength, 
and a tenacity of purpose seldom witnessed, matched 
his strength against the seemingly unsurmountable 
difficulties confronting him, as the majestic challenge 
of the mountain spurred him on. He accepted the 
most nerve-racking and discouraging situation with 
his even-tempered calmness, and smiled his deter- 
mined smile. While his men cursed — ^their patience 
tried to the breaking point — his even tones and smile 
carried them to self-control and a better grip on them- 
selves. Tresh inspiration and courage were ^ven 
them by his smile of confidence and his unfailing 
faith in this undertaking and his always courteous, 
affable self. 

At last Noble Van de Water had perfected the 
arrangement of a temporary set of steel rollers for 
179 


'IBrotljers! 


an experiment which he intended to make with the 
ore. 

In thinking and studying over the proposition 
confronting him he had decided that the concentrates 
were heavier than they were in Australia, and, in 
his experiments, carefully carried on, he found that 
the flakes of the concentrates would float on the 
water, while, when crushed, they sank to the bottom 
together with the crushed rock. The question was 
how to get the concentrates into flakes. The roller 
process was to be tried, and he worked with added 
determination and patience never before witnessed 
by his men. 

His men were all crestfallen and sick at heart 
with doubt and misgivings, and all feared for Van 
de Water and the impairment of his fortune, and 
their sincerity could not have been more apparent. 
However, when they saw the flakes of molybdenum 
float on the top of the water, and pass on over the 
hot plates of copper, which dried them, and Anally 
on into the chute that emptied them into the sacks, 
a mighty cheer arose and their happiness knew no 
bounds. 

Their congratulations — ^^Big Bill” with the rest — 
extended to Van de Water could not have been more 
sincere, and that night they congregated at the res- 
taurant for a ‘Tanquet” and general good time — 
said banquet to consist of cove oyster soup, canned 
baked beans, hot biscuits and coflee. 

It was the flrst time any of them had taken time, 
or had had the inclination, to eat anything like a 
meal since the flrst day of the starting of the ma- 
chinery. How, all brought forth their pipes, after 
180 


'iBtotftets 


their hearty meal, and relaxed as they discussed the 
new rollers to be installed, the future possibili- 
ties of the camp, and the manner in which to cele- 
brate the occasion of triumph over the difficulties 
which had surmounted the Magic City. After much 
discussion they decided to commence work at once to 
build a suitable abiding place for ‘^Old Faithful.’’ 
It was to he an elaborate affair — warm and sanitary, 
of rock and with slate roof — ^the slate like slabs to 
be taken from the mountain-side. 

It was to be a monument to the memory of the 
former owner of Molybdenite Mountain, and like- 
wise an abiding place for ^^Old Faithful,” his dog, 
that had survived him. 

^^Old Faithful,” as he had been christened by the 
inhabitants of the mining camp, was the only dog 
in the camp, and he had a peculiar history. The 
only faithful companion of the former owner of the 
Molybdenite Mountain, who had died soon after the 
time of transferring his claim to Zehb Tart, the griz- 
zled mountaineer, he had followed his master’s re- 
mains, as he was taken some twenty miles to the 
nearest town, and, as he waited at the door of the 
undertaking establishment for his master to emerge, 
day after day, and finally week after week, and then 
month after month, until three years had passed, his 
faithfulness was proved beyond a doubt. He had 
picked up his living from the alleys, and had slept 
on the mat in front of the door through which he 
had last seen his master taken, and from which 
he had never emerged. 

Hearing the history of the dog, Hoble Van de 
Water, in the kindness of his heart, understood the 
181 


a5rotl)er0 


grief and nostalgia of the animal, and sent for him 
and had him brought back to his former home in the 
mountains. The dog, apparently, still mourning the 
loss of his life-long companion and master, began to 
show an interest in life the moment he arrived at 
the tunnel leading into the mountain, where he 
had spent his lifetime prior to his master’s death. 
He at once ran back and forth and up and down the 
steep mountain-side; then into the tunnel, showing 
his joy at being back at his home of former days 
by numerous loud barks, and, as he ran and barked, 
his joy seemed unbounded. 

As time passed the dog became greatly attached 
to the new master of Molybdenite Mountain. Every- 
one in camp knew the story of ^^Old Faithful,” and, 
while he was almost everyone’s friend, he showed his 
especial affection for Hoble Van de Water, seem- 
ingly understanding that he was particularly in- 
debted to him for being brought back to his former 
home. To the expansiveness and genial smile of 
Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess he failed to respond, 
and usually, if he did not ignore him entirely, he 
would show his teeth whenever the loud-talking col- 
onel came near him. 

Yes, a suitable monument they would build to the 
sacred memory of the former owner of Molybdenite 
Mountain, who had spent the better part of his life- 
time in developing a property which was to benefit 
others than himself. 

In talking the matter over, they unanimously 
agreed that nothing more fitting could be done, and 
nothing could be done that would please the old' 
time miner more, could he know of it. 

182 


CHAPTER XXIII 


THE MAGIO CITY 

The magic city took on a new lease of life. Col- 
onel Thaddeus Oliver Hess was in his glory. He 
believed that there was one man who dominated his 
time or country to such an extent as to stand forth 
as a sun in the historic firmanent around which all 
other personages, and the events they controlled or 
influenced, revolved, and that by a natural law the 
preeminent man was the real hub around which 
everything and everyone else revolved. Such Colonel 
Thaddeus Oliver Hess considered himself at Molyb- 
denite City. He, in his own estimation, was the 
beacon light shining over all. He it was that would 
make Molybdenite City world-wide history. Slap- 
ping this man good-naturedly, on the back, as he 
reached with his other hand for a hearty handshake, 
he would say. 

told you so ! Can’t fool the colonel, you know. 
It was a hard pull, but we brought it through!” 
Approaching the next man, with his expansive smile, 
^^Guess you’re glad you listened to the colonel and 
stuck for the big show! All we want now is some 
substantial buildings, and my friend Van de Water 
and I will see that they are built at once, and the 
railroad, of course, that’s sure to come; and, if it 
183 


TBtothtts 


don’t, we will build it! The millions of tons of 
Molybdenum to be shipped from here demand it! 
Business interests demand it, and we’ll see that it 
comes.” 

With his generous, good-natured laugh. Colonel 
Thaddeus Oliver Hess would absorb the perspiration 
from his big, round face with his spotless white 
handkerchief, and pass on to the next man, to 
all of whom who would listen he expounded the un- 
limited resources of the magic city, and thus it was 
that Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess spread sunshine 
throughout the camp. 

Another five days and two sets of temporary steel 
rollers had been secured from the superintendent of 
the railway work shops, at the nearest division point 
on the Transcontinental Line of Railway, and the 
crushing of the rich rock by the roller process was 
again started successfully. 

The flakes of molybdenum floated on the water 
while the crushed rock sank to the bottom. Hew 
and larger rollers had been ordered by wire from 
Denver, and soon the works would be running at 
full capacity. 

Hoble Van de Water, nearly worn out by constant 
work and worry, and no sleep, as the tremendous 
undertaking had absorbed all his time and vitality, 
now put ^^Big Bill” in charge, and he commenced 
to take his rest. 

The mill was now proving a success, and the new 
sets of huge steel rollers to be installed would make 
him many times a millionaire. He must now set 
about to build the modern city of Molybdenite. The 
184 


'ISrotfiers 


town of mushroom growth must be replaced with 
substantial buildings. A sewerage system and water- 
works must be installed and the electric light plant 
enlarged and extended to light the city. 

Wonderful dreams of immense wealth and the 
building of an ideal mining camp came to Van de 
Water during his waking as well as his sleeping 
hours, and the magic city of his dreams was to he 
built. A sawmill was to he installed, and all the 
timber possible to be manufactured at home, while 
all the other lumber necessary was to he shipped by 
carload from Seattle. Some of the buildings would 
he of cement construction throughout. Streets along 
the mountain-side would he graded, one above the 
other, as occasion required, and supported by re- 
taining walls to be built with rock from the moun- 
tain. 

An ideal mining camp Molybdenite City would be, 
and one that would be talked of throughout the civi- 
lized world. A substantial hank building must be 
erected and a bank opened at once to handle the cur- 
rency necessary for the development of the city, and 
for the immense payroll which the mine would neces- 
sarily occasion. A general supply store was to be 
operated by himself, and all goods were to be sold at 
cost to the residents of Molybdenite City. The high- 
est wages would be paid, comfortable quarters would 
be provided, and board would be furnished the work- 
men at a minimum cost. 

A great change came over the camp. Doubters 
were now believers, and a general buoyancy pre- 
vailed where before had been only gloom. '^Old 
185 




raithfuF’ seemed to take on a new life and was not 
quite so savagely inclined, even toward Colonel 
Thaddeus Oliver Hess, as heretofore. Sunshine and 
good nature seemed everywhere, and the men joked 
and laughed, while before all were grouchy, sullen 
and downcast. 

The transformation was more noticeable to Van 
de Water than any one else, as he realized that in his 
anxiety to direct his mind from his past actions and 
responsibilities he had not used his usual dilatory 
tactics in looking into the proposition which had so 
nearly engulfed him. Thru the intensity of his ca- 
pacity for success, and the depth of his philosophic 
insight, was wrought the miracle of transforming 
Molybdenite City from gloom to sunshine. In prov- 
ing the possibility of transforming the rock from 
the huge mountain into a valuable commodity he at 
once summed up and transcended a whole era of 
mining history. The splendor of his success shone 
throughout the camp and also the outside world, 
as the Long Distance Phone had spread the news; 
the Telephone wires and Associated Press carried it 
still further until Molybdenite City was taxed to its 
utmost to care for the inrushing crowds. 

Tents, shacks and dug-outs lined the ravine and 
the mountainside. The huge steel rollers came and 
were installed, and the three shifts of men kept them 
taxed to their utmost capacity night and day. The 
crushing of the rock as it passed between the huge 
rollers, and the deafening noise of the mighty en- 
gines, together with the other machinery, shook and 
jarred the very mountainside until it seemed to 
186 


'Btot&crs 


pulse with life. Molybdenite City was an assured 
fact. The fortune of every inhabitant was also an 
assured fact, or, at least, so it seemed whenever 
Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess told them so, and 
which he continued to do at every opportune moment. 


187 


CHAPTEK XXIV 


THE BUILDING OF A CITY 

Time passed rapidly and Molybdenite City was be- 
ing built. The saw mill up the ravine shrieked com- 
plainingly as it ripped thru the logs converting them 
into lumber and huge timbers. Many men with 
heavy teams graded the streets, one above the other, 
along the mountainside, and retaining walls were 
built, from huge rocks, to support them. Water 
mains had been laid and the sewerage system com- 
pleted. An imposing concrete bank building, with 
plate glass front and its immense vault, stood at the 
corner nearest the American Mining and Milling 
Co.’s office, which also was a structure of concrete 
and rock, looking substantial enough to be a monu- 
ment to the pioneers of Molybdenite City for ages 
to come. 

The modern store building also with its plate- 
glass front and modern fixtures, was completed, and 
merchandise was being hauled by the four-horse 
teams from the railway station, nine miles distant, 
on their return trips from hauling the heavy loads 
of Molybdenum to be loaded into cars as they stood 
on the siding. The hotel being built of lumber was 
nearing completion and carloads of furniture to fill 
it, shipped from the east were expected daily. The 
188 


'IBrotficrg 


printing office had been installed and already the 
‘^Molybdenite Herald” was being dispatched to the 
four corners of the Globe in response to the numer- 
ous inquiries which came to Molybdenite City daily. 
Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess was a weekly con- 
tributor to the “Herald,” and his fastidious articles 
were read with much enthusiasm by the residents of 
the magic city, and with much distrust by far the 
greater majority of its outside world readers. 

The rumbling of the rollers which continued night 
and day as they crushed the rock; the compressed- 
air drills and the occasional blasting, the echoes of 
which resounded thru the forest and hills, together 
with the general activity throughout the camp as 
buildings were being erected, streets graded, heavy 
loads hauled and merchandise of almost every con- 
ceivable kind was being unloaded, made Molybdenite 
City seem much like what had been predicted. Every 
man in the magic city was optimistic and all saw 
untold fortunes ahead. The predictions of Colonel 
Thaddeus Oliver HJess seemed inevitable. The rail- 
road to Molybdenite City was really being surveyed 
and the balmy days of Goldfield and Dawson were 
to be outclassed ! A buoyancy and effervescent spirit 
prevailed. Every one wore a smile and a look of 
contentment. Happiness shone in every face and 
no discontent was apparent, and a mining camp with 
less disorder was never known. But gloomy days 
were in store for them altho they knew it not. 

The large production of Molybdenum astonished 
the mining world! While heretofore it had been 
produced only in extremely small quantities, it now 
was to come into more general use. Experiments 
189 


“Btotljetsi 


were being made with it for the hardening of steel, 
aiTQor plates, and projectiles — a field in which it 
offered possibilities not possessed by any other known 
metal. The demand would increase instead of di- 
minish as had been predicted by many, and the price 
would not decrease, but on the contrary increase to 
keep pace with the growing demand. 

The crash came some two weeks later, when it was 
being whispered in the ofiice among the corps of 
stenographers and bookkeepers, that the last few 
cars of Molybdenum shipped was not Molybdenum 
at all ! 

Koble Van de Water noticed as he passed thru to 
his private office a general quiet gloom, and furtive 
looks given him from all eyes. Immediately upon 
gaining his private office he pushed the button that 
summoned his private stenographer, and arranging 
a bunch of papers carefully as was his custom be- 
fore starting his dictation, he said in his usual calm 
manner, ‘^By the way. Jack, what is the occasion 
of all the apparent gloom and the furtive looks given 
me this morning as I passed thru the office?” 

Jack Thomas, the trustworthy, conscientious and 
devoted ^^Boy,” as Van de Water called him, was 
much older in years than he appeared, but not older 
than Van de Water knew him to be. The title 
^^Boy” being used by Van de Water out of the kind- 
ness of his heart, and with rare tact, as he knew J ack 
Thomas would rather be considered a boy than a 
man, on account of his unfortunate deformity which 
gave him more the appeaarnce of a boy than a man. 
Jack Thomas was a hunchback, and Noble Van de 
Water always managed to convey to him — ^without 
190 


IBrotfters 


hurting his feelings or overwhelming him with em- 
barrassment — the fact that while he thought of him 
as a boy in appearance, intellectually he considered 
him his equal. 

Before meeting ISToble Van de Water no one had 
ever taken him into their confidence or given him 
much of any consideration, especially so when it came 
to overlooking his affliction, and lifting him upon a 
plane intellectually with themselves. 

Poor little unfortunate Jack Thomas, when in 
school, far excelled all of his school mates in ac- 
cumulating knowledge, and for that reason was made 
by his schoolmates more than ever to feel his de- 
plorable affliction. 

Thus it was that Jack Thomas considered his em- 
ployer the greatest person he had ever known, and 
reverenced him accordingly. To his employer’s 
question he promptly replied: 

^Tt has been whispered around the office that the 
last few carloads shipped did not contain an ounce 
of molybdenum, and that the shipment was made to 
keep the fact unknown that no molybdenum ore was 
being mined at present, and that the stopping of ma- 
chinery for the past few days was not for repairs, 
as had been given out, but because of the fact that 
the ore vein had run out.” 

Van de Water’s face blanched white as he learned 
of the whisperings. True enough the facts stated 
were true but he had expected to conceal these facts 
until the vein was struck again, or a new vein opened. 

^^Big Bill” and his corps of trusty men had worked 
night and day, until nearly exhausted, trying to find 
191 


'lgtOtl)Ctg 

the continuance of the ■worked-out vein or to strike 
another one. 

The vein had run into nothing. It was there ap- 
parently, and looked like a continuance of the vein 
which had been worked out ; the looks were deceiving 
as it contained no molybdenum whatever and the 
black rock crushed together with the white, and all 
sank into the bottom of the water. 

Consternation was apparent on Van de Water’s 
face, and the hunchback went to him as he said : 

denied it emphatically, Mr. Van de Water. I 
told them it was a mistake and that I knew differ- 
ently! I did not want to tell any lies, but I knew 
that, if such was the case, it had been done for the 
best and that conditions warranted you in taking 
such steps, and I also knew that if such steps had 
been taken by you that it was necessary for the pro- 
tection of our camp and our people here.” 

The hunchback’s loyalty was apparent to Van de 
Water, and grasping his hands he said: 

‘Wou did quite right. Jack, as conditions warrant 
anything that I have done, and everything that I 
have done has been done for the best. It is true that 
the vein ran out. There is nothing more in sight 
at the present time, and if our people knew it there 
would be Hell to pay here. The disappointment 
and the loss to them would cause them to resort to 
violence, and no one knows where it would end. 
Personally I stand to lose my all but there must 
be more of that ore. It stands to reason that it must 
be there. It is impossible that the one vein of rich 
ore which we have taken out should be all there is 
here. There must be more! Our trusty men will 
192 


'IBtotfters: 


find it, and we have got to keep the people from 
knowing. We will start the works, and if necessary- 
store the sacks of dirt which we will continue to ship, 
to still any misgivings or rumors. I know I can 
depend upon you here in the office. I will dictate to 
you letters which will he absolute proof that we are 
shipping the valuable concentrates, and the dicta- 
tions you can read to them secretly, if necessary, to 
quiet any rumors to the contrary. This thing must 
be kept absolutely secret at all hazards, or pande- 
monium will reign supreme here, and the end of 
which could not be foreseen. The monetary loss 
would be borne by the unfortunates, who in their mad 
fury, run riot, would quit the camp leaving and los- 
ing their all! I do not expect to lose, for another 
vein will surely be found. The men are boring 
from the top, digging and blasting at the sides, and 
a new tunnel is being pushed into the mountain from 
the opposite side, and we’ll surely find it.” 

This was the indomitable faith, energy and per- 
severance of Noble Van de Water. He stood to lose 
all, as he had told the hunchback, but he felt that 
losing his all would not hurt him as it would the 
others. 


193 


CHAPTEE XXV 


GATHERING OF SHADOWS 

Another week had passed, and the tension at Mol- 
ybdenite City was straining tighter. The works had 
been started and trusty men looked after the filling 
of the sacks with finely ground rock, and mixed with 
dirt, and the sacks were being hauled by the four- 
horse teams and loaded into the cars at the siding 
nine miles distant, and shipped to a nearby point 
where they were being stored. The works were ap- 
parently running full blast, and the routine work 
of the office was carried on. 

Jack Thomas had been put in charge of all cor- 
respondence and technical reports of the office, and 
the bookkeepers kept busy preparing the payrolls 
and other necessary work attendant upon the con- 
tinued building of the model mining camp — Molyb- 
denite City. Notwithstanding all this there was an 
undercurrent of dissatisfaction and unrest which 
the ^‘Herald,” the indefatigable Colonel Thaddeus 
Oliver Hess and the serene unruffled Noble Van de 
Water could not quell. 

An unseen, unexplainable something was in the 
air and the spirit of unrest grew, as Van de Water’s 
resources were being diminished with every hour 
that passed and his hopes were being undermined, 
194 


'13rotj)et0 


as the reports from his faithful handful of men con- 
tinued to be unfavorable. 

The ‘^American Mining and Milling Co.” had 
now reached a crisis, and Van de Water concluded 
to shut down the works temporarily, as it was given 
out on the posted notices, and until more exploration 
work could be done. Thus the payroll was reduced 
and none but his trusty handful of men were re- 
tained in the services of the ^‘American Mining and 
Milling Co.” 

The grading of the streets and the work on all 
buildings was stopped. The men coming from the 
office with their pay checks received their money 
at the bank, with gloomy faces, and a few days later 
as the facts concerning the deception which had 
been practiced upon them leaked out, as such things 
will, the undercurrent of dissatisfaction grew into 
a revolt of mind which predestined a serious ending 
for the magic city. 

The rougher element encouraged the less excitable 
and more timid until violence was threatened. This 
fact was made evident to IToble Van de Water when 
he happened to come upon a score of men who had 
captured the hunchback and had him tied to a tree, 
and were threatening to burn him at the stake unless 
he divulged certain things regarding the deception 
which had been practiced upon them, to their morti- 
fication and sense of fair treatment. 

IToble Van de Water did not hesitate — he jumped 
into the score or more of men, knocking them right 
and left before they realized what was happening, 
and as he gained the hunchback’s side and with 
his pocket knife severed the cords that held him, he 
195 


TBtotftets 


faced the angry few remaining and, motioning them 
aside, walked away with the cripple, ignoring them 
completely as he did so. One of the rougher ele- 
ment had attempted in an insolent manner to belittle 
Van de Water, at the bank corner, in front of a 
crowd congregated there, but Van de Water had 
slapped his face, and as the bully pulled his gun 
Van de Water had grabbed his wrist and given him 
a jiu-jitsu turn that caused him, not only to drop 
his gTin but writhe with pain, after which Van de 
Water had picked up his gun and, after ejecting the 
cartridges, handed the gun back to him, with an un- 
disturbed casual smile, as he said : 

^^The next time you will not get off so easy 

That evening Van de Water had addressed the 
citizens of Molybdenite City, from an improvised 
balcony, on the unfinished hotel, telling them of his 
hopes and plans; the continuance of mining and 
milling, and the finishing of the work begun — ^the 
building of a modern mining camp. He made it 
plain to them that he owed no man in Molybdenite 
City a single dollar ; that all had received their pay 
in full, and that they were at liberty to go or remain 
as they chose, but those who remained must remain 
with the absolute understanding that no violence, in 
any way, was to be tolerated, and to those who did 
not feel that they could remain on those conditions 
he would suggest that they should leave at once, as 
otherwise they would be ejected from his property, 
at the first demonstration of lawlessness. The better 
class cheered lustily, while Van de Water, from his 
advantageous position, saw many sullen faces and 
dark looks. 


196 


'15rot6er0 


During the dark days a powerful searchlight had 
been shipped in and that very day had been installed 
on top of the office building, and late that night the 
watchman on duty happened to throw the light onto 
a group of men apparently approaching the office 
building, but who quickly dispersed when the power- 
ful light continued to shine upon them. This fact 
being reported to Van de Water the next morning, 
extra precautions were at once taken for self-pro- 
tection in case any violence to person or property 
should be attempted. 

^‘Big Bill’’ and his picked men were to sleep at 
the office; cot beds were provided, and Winchesters 
and Colt guns were much in evidence in Van de 
Water’s private office, where they were easily acces- 
sible in case they should be needed. However, it 
was generally understood that injury to any person 
was not to be done, and no shot was to be fired, 
unless at Van de Water’s command. All other known 
methods would be tried out first and the Winchesters 
were to be used only as the last resort for the protec- 
tion of their lives and property. 

^^Big Bill’s” ambition was to get at them with his 
fists. 

‘^Let me git to thim and I’ll lick the divils with me 
bare fists !” he was wont to say, but ^^Big Bill” did 
not know the treacherousness of the undesirable ele- 
ment of the camp. Like all mining camps. Molybde- 
nite City housed a certain element that are bent on 
destroying. In their ignorance there seems no other 
way to give vent to their feelings. Sullen and of 
few words, unable to understand or appreciate the 
difficulties which promoters of large industries have 
197 


'Btotljettf 


to contend with, they look with suspicion upon every 
move made which is not in full accord with their 
limited ideas. Thus it was in Molybdenite City! 
A hot bed of violence ready to burst forth at any 
moment. 

The fact that ISToble Van de Water had gone to 
great expense in keeping his works in full operation 
to ship a useless commodity in order to tide things 
over until more of the valuable ore could be found 
was not appreciated by the vicious element. They 
looked upon it as a trick to deceive them, and, having 
been deceived once, would they not be deceived 
again ? 

Revenge! Revenge! was their one thought and 
slogan. They met in secret meeting and formulated 
plans for the dastardly work they were intent on 
doing. 

They had learned in some unaccountable manner 
of the men being housed nightly at the office, and 
therefore the revengeful attack must be made at 
some other point. They planned to let the hunch- 
back overhear a conversation between a couple of 
them, in which the idea would be conveyed that an 
attack was to be made on the office that very night, 
and thus they would be free to make their attack 
elsewhere with less, if any, resistance. 

The first attack was to be made on the mine 
proper, and as soon as the day shift of miners and 
workmen quit work, they would be ready to slip into 
the tunnel and also into concealed places on the 
mountainside, carrying the dynamite which they had 
stolen from the company’s supply house, and where 
they would be able to take advantage of the already 
198 


'IBrot&ets 


drilled holes which had been made in trying again 
to locate the valuable vein of molybdenum ore. The 
electric batteries for the explosion of the dynamite, 
were to be gotten hold of, and the different charges 
of dynamite would he instantaneously exploded, at 
a given signal, some time after midnight, which, 
they figured, would close the tunnel completely and 
otherwise cause havoc and destruction to the ^‘Amer- 
ican Mining and Milling Co.’s” property. They 
figured this would do for a starter, which would be 
followed up by other atrocities as great or greater. 

Jack Thomas, the hunchback, having overheard the 
conversation, carried on for his especial benefit, 
relative to the night attack on the office, hurried to 
his employer with the information he had gained. 
Every available man was called in from the works, 
and as they sat waiting the attack no loud word was 
spoken. The silence was portentous. N’o sound was 
heard only the low voice in Van de Water’s private 
office, as he talked thru the speaking-tube with the 
man who had the powerful searchlight in charge. 
The man on watch was unable to locate any sus- 
picious looking men congregated at any point, and 
he reported that he was absolutely sure that no such 
crowd was anywhere near the office. It was nearing 
two o’clock whe^ the watchman was told to keep his 
light dark for thirty minutes and then flash it. 

The stars overhead shone brilliantly while about 
the office building the forest night had drawn close 
and closer with its circling wall of mystery. Ex- 
actly twenty minutes had passed when a flash of in- 
tense light lit the windows brilliantly, and flared into 
the sky ; and at the crashing in of the windows from 
199 


'IBtotftetsi 


the force of the terrible blast, and the crashing win- 
dows in the other buildings was heard, followed by 
the terrible rumbling of explosion and falling rock. 
Van de Water burst from the door of his private 
office as he shouted : 

^^My God ! Men, what has happened 

^^Big Biir^ sized up the situation in a second, 
as he replied: 

^The divils have blown up the powder houses and 
also the mine. There’s divil a quistion about it! 
It’s gone!” 

After telling part of his men to depart and en- 
deavor to quiet the thoroughly frightened people 
who had rushed from their beds in night attire, and 
to take in hand any suspicious characters they might 
meet, he climbed to the searchlight tower, and took 
charge of the powerful light, which he flashed here 
and there and everywhere, but which failed to reveal 
any skulking figures on the mountainside or else- 
where. 

^^The job had been well done!” Van de Water 
soliloquized. 

The following day a dozen or more of the unde- 
sirable class were rounded up by Van de Water’s 
men, and escorted out of town, and to the railway 
siding nine miles distant, where they were placed 
on the train and fare paid to a mining camp some 
hundred miles distant, with the advice not to return 
to Molybdenite City unless they wished to be dealt 
with harshly. 

In fact, “Big Bill” rather intimated to them that 
any danged one of them that returned would be shot 
on sight. 


200 


CHAPTEE XXVI 


THE WAY OF THE TEANSGEESSOR 

The day following the catastrophe, Van de Water 
had taken strict accounting of his affairs. His 
private secretary, Jack Thomas, and himself pored 
over columns of figures, and calculated the extent of 
Van de Water’s resources and compared this with his 
indebtedness to his Seattle hankers, and he found 
that, by entirely eliminating Mountain Home and 
Molybdenite City from his calculations, the ledger 
balanced. His assets and liabilities were equal and 
therefore Mountain Home and Molybdenite City 
were all that he had left, and, as in all probability, 
no more molybdenum ore would be found. Molybde- 
nite City could not be figured worth a single dollar, 
and thus he was left his Mountain Home but with 
no visible means of supporting it. He had no thought 
of disposing of that, however, as he loved it too 
dearly. 

Xoble Van de Water, the man of poise, was not 
visibly affected by the terrible loss, but as soon as 
the office force left and he had bid the hunchback 
good night, the doors were locked, and he knew him- 
self to be alone, he suffered. He spent a wakeful 
night, and the myriad thoughts that came to Van de 
Water were burned into his brain for many days 
thereafter. 


201 


CBtotliers 


Truly, “the way of the transgressor is hard.” 
!N’oble Van de Water had transgressed and this, he 
thought, was his punishment! Did his transgres- 
sions deserve such severe and drastic punishment? 
To be stripped of his fortune almost within ‘The 
twinkling of an eye!’’ 

He had read that “Ho artist is worthy of his name 
who is not his severest critic,” and Hoble Van de 
Water criticized himself severely, and yet strange to 
say he could not feel regret at any of his past ac- 
tions. 

When the sun made its appearance over the moun- 
tain top the following morning, he had decided upon 
a definite course of action. He would leave “Big 
Bill” and his trusty corps of assistants in charge 
and the prospecting for more ore could be continued 
indefinitely. 

The Bank and Bank Building; the store building 
and unfinished hotel could be closed and he would 
leave for Seattle to make the best settlement possible 
with his bankers. Yes, it was the only honorable 
thing to do. Protect his bankers against any loss 
and then look out for himself in the best possible 
manner. By preserving his credit and honor, with 
the banks, he could establish credit again as soon as 
he decided just what he wished to do. 

Colonel Thaddeus Oliver Hess — the omnipotent — 
had come to Van de Water, with his most persuasive 
smile, with a proposition to float the stock of the 
“American Mining and Milling Co.” in the east for 
as large an amount as necessary to save Van de 
Water from loss, but the proposition had been turned 
down absolutely. 


202 


IBtotljets 


The sun mounted higher and the office force 
trooped in as usual. All noticed the paleness and 
haggard look of their employer. He had not slept 
and he had forgotten to eat his breakfast. The 
hunchback glanced at Hoble Van de Water, with a 
much worried look — ^he had not slept himself, as 
the fact of the probability of losing his situation 
stared him in the face. It was not only the losing 
of his position that worried him, but Hoble Van de 
Water had treated him in a manner which he had 
never known before. 

His former employers had treated him in a far 
different manner, and he had been kicked around and 
brow-beaten since the earliest days of his remem- 
brance, while his present employer treated him in 
every way as his equal, and in some respects his su- 
perior, as he tactfully asked his advice on certain 
matters pertaining to the office routine. Van de 
Water noticed his worried look and, guessing the 
source from which it came, said in a casual manner : 
‘^By the way, Thomas, in case we entirely suspend 
operations here later on, how would you like to go 
further west with me ? If we quit here, I shall need 
you elsewhere.” 

The look of relief that came into the hunchback^s 
face was wonderful in the extreme and Van de Wa- 
ter felt amply repaid for the effort to banish the 
gloom from his secretary’s face. 

Immediately after the look of relief came tears 
of joy and, as the suspense was over and he relaxed, 
the tears streamed down his face as he thanked his 
employer and assured him of his anxiety to go wher- 
203 


TBtotfters 


ever he went and always to give him the best he had 
in him. 

After calming himself and taking a cold face bath 
at the fancet he retired to his desk and, as he opened 
the morning mail, placed it on his employer’s desk 
for reading. 

The first letter made Van de Water turn sick at 
heart, as he read it. It was a request for more 
molybdenum to he shipped as quickly as possible. 
The second, from another source, was a repetition 
of the first, and the third was a request from one of 
the largest English Steel Manufacturing Companies 
in Sheffield asking for samples of his product. 

Van de Water’s face blanched whiter than before, 
if such was possible. The knowledge that he could 
not furnish the valuable metal to fill these orders 
and all the others that would surely come nearly 
drove him insane ! Sweeping, with his arm, the pile 
of unread mail into the huge waste-paper basket, 
he grabbed his hat and rushed from the room. Where 
to go he did not know, but he must get more air! 
He was stifled and could not breathe! The hunch- 
back, in alarm, gathered the unread mail from the 
basket and arranged it again carefully on his em- 
ployer’s desk to await his return. In sorting it over 
he noticed one letter which looked different from 
the others, and instead of being addressed to the 
^^American Mining & Milling Co.,” it was addressed 
to the ^^Honorable Hoble Van de Water,” and after 
turning it over and looking at it carefully, decided 
to place it on top of all the other mail, so that his 
employer would naturally read it first. 

He turned and went about his work, but the 
204 


i5totbm 


strange letter had a fascination for him which he 
could not resist, and finally after continually turn- 
ing to look at it, walked over to his employer’s desk, 
and picking it up he abstracted the letter from its 
inclosure, and as he read and reread with staring, 
bulging eyes, and the full meaning of its contents 
was grasped by the hunchback, his face became radi- 
ant, and he ran hatless from the building — letter in 
hand, yelling as he went thru the outside ofiice, caus- 
ing the ofiice force to think him a raving maniac. 

Many caustic remarks were passed concerning the 
probable outcome of the affliction hut none went to 
look after him, as Jack Thomas had been taken into 
too close touch by his employer, while the rest of 
the office force had been held at a reserved distance, 
and none of them had any particular love for the 
unfortunate afflicted one. 

He ran from place to place until he was com- 
pletely exhausted endeavoring to find his employer, 
but to no purpose, as no one had seen him, and no 
one knew of his whereabouts. Finally becoming dis- 
couraged and almost completely exhausted he decided 
to retrace his steps to the office, but in looking up to 
the location of the now filled tunnel he thought he 
discerned the outlines of his employer against the 
mass of gray rock. Hohle Van de Water was hardly 
recognizable, but the thought occurred to the nearly 
exhausted hunchback that probably the wrecked mine 
would be the most natural place for him to go. 

Carrying the still open letter, he commenced the 
long climb to reach the man to whom the letter he 
carried was of such vital importance. Climbing the 
steep mountainside, every step seeming to use the 
205 


“IBrotljets; 


last drop of strength he had in his body, he won- 
dered if he would drop dead before he could reach 
his employer. 

Van de Water saw him approaching and, guessing 
that nothing but something of great importance 
would cause him to leave his desk during business 
hours, went forward to meet him, and as he grasped 
the letter, outstretched to him, no word came from 
the lips of Jack Thomas. He was overcome with 
fatigue and exhaustion and, as he sank to the ground. 
Van de Water stooped over him and, raising him in 
his arms, carried him down the steep incline, back 
to the office building, thru the outer office and into 
his private room where he deposited the apparent 
lifeless form on the long table, after which he bathed 
his hot face with cold water until he was revived. 

Dismissing the frightened office force which had 
followed him in their curiosity, he turned his at- 
tention to the crumpled, dirt-begrimed letter which 
had so excited the hunchback. 

It was written in a cramped little hand, he recog- 
nized immediately, and ran as follows: 

YaMO-H O-IJ CHI, 

^^June 30th, 1913. 

Hoble Van de Water. 

^^Honorabde Master: — I cannot tell how I am 
lonesome. I am lonesome as you cannot conjecture. 
You stay away longer time than before ever. For- 
give my inexcusable effrontery when I say I have 
succeeded better than before ever with those rose. * 

‘Tf you have not forgotten your love for those 
206 


Igtotfiew 

beautiful rose, then come. I am all times looking 
for you. 

‘^Tbose ore specimen you send from Australia and 
also Montana I keep in fish aquarium as you write 
me. The water make them more blue. The fish do 
not like those ore better than other rock but if your 
Honorable Highness want more ore like those you 
send, the Honorable Princess she say there is a big 
mountain of it near the water fall. I take piece for 
compare and find she say true. I bring home big 
pieces and fish like it no more as piece you send. 
I send sample for your inspect. Plenty here for all 
fish in Pacific Ocean, for compare. 

“I am hoping by this time you like those rose well 
enough to come and that you write me favorite 
answer. 

‘^My girl in home country she say I am a linger- 
ing. 

‘T all time longing to your Honorable Highness 
return. 

‘^Your faithful truly and much obedient servant, 

^‘Sano Saito.” 

Van de Water read the amazing communication; 
rubbed his eyes and read it again! He went to the 
cold water faucet and, after bathing his hot face and 
hands in the ice-cold mountain water, he returned 
to his desk and read it thru again. 

A smile of understanding spread over his face. 
Surely, yes, there was that huge wall of rock near 
the glorious water fall that, now he came to think 
of it, resembled molybdenum ore. Queer he had 
207 


TStothtts 

never thonglit of it before ! But the sample ! Where 
was it? 

Throwing the pile of mail right and left, he dis- 
covered the package, tied in a neat manner, and ad- 
dressed in the cramped handwriting of Sano Saito. 
Tearing the paper from the pieces of rock, they lay 
before him! True enough they appeared counter- 
parts of the rich specimens on his desk. Hie went 
to the water faucet and let the water run over them, 
as they turned to a dark blue, and tiny flakes of con- 
centrates floated on the water in the bowl 1 Bushing 
from the ofiice and on to the works, he summoned the 
men near, ordered the huge rollers started. In his 
excitement he seemed the wild man that he looked 
and acted. The idea of starting the ponderous ma- 
chinery to crush the insignificant quantity of ore he 
held in his hands, and fondled so tenderly, led them 
to believe that Van de Water — the victim of a min- 
ing delusion — ^had really gone insane. However, 
to humor him, and thus temporarily occupy his 
mind until they could think and decide what was 
best to be done, they set about to start the engines 
and the huge rollers, and ran in the water to float 
the concentrates to be carried on and over the hot 
copper plates. 


208 


CHAPTER XXVII 


HOMECOMING 

Xoble Van de Water had regained his composure, 
and was his old self again. The molybdenum con- 
centrates had floated, and tests had proved the rock 
sent him from Mountain Home to be of excellent 
quality. 

He now unfolded his plans to his secretary, the 
hunchback. The fact of his having discovered him- 
self to be again rich was to be kept a secret at 
Molybdenite City, at least, for the present. 

The secretary was to remain and look after the 
mail, until such time as his employer should send 
for him, and his corps of trusty men were to be left 
in charge of his property and to continue the ex- 
ploration work. 

He would be able to complete all arrangements 
and leave within the next very few days for Moun- 
tain Home. 

The following notice was posted at the works, the 
office and about town: 

XOTICE 

^^The policy of suspension of all work at Molybde- 
nite City by the American Mining and Milling Co. 
will be continued indefinitely. 

209 


'IBtotftetsi 


work will be done at the mine with the excep- 
tion of prospect work and all building — street grad- 
ing and improvement — and all other work is sus- 
pended until further notice. 

‘The American Mining and Milling Co. is not 
indebted financially to any person in Molybdenite 
City. However, all loyal law-abiding citizens are 
welcome to remain as long as they wish — occupying 
the buildings and grounds they now occupy free of 
charge. All others than loyal law-abiding citizens 
are requested to leave at once, as otherwise they will 
be summarily dealt with at the first outbreak of law- 
lessness and escorted out of town in an unpleasant 
manner. (Signed) 

“Ameeican Mining and Milling Co., 
“per Hoble Van de Water, President.^' 

The mystic call of the Home Mountain Forests 
had long been upon Hoble Van de Water, and now 
that he was free he would not longer have to with- 
stand its beckoning call to the fairy land of wild 
things. His pulses thrilled at the thoughts of re- 
turning where he had last known so much happiness. 
He, at the present time, could not think of any 
greater happiness than to see Seepa Zata’s beautiful 
luminous dark eyes, and hear her soft mellow laugh- 
ter. His plans for her must be carried out. She 
must be gotten away at once to some far away Young 
Ladies School, and thus all temptation placed beyond 
him. 

The next mail brought another letter addressed in 
the cramped hand of Sano Saito, and read as fol- 
lows: 


210 


'IBrotljetg 


^^Yamo-No-Uchi^ 
^^July 1st, 1913. 

^^Mk. IYoble Van de Water. 

^^Honorable Master: — I hope you receive my 
letter by this time. I like your opinion of coming 
to see those rose as soon as you can. I still observe 
the fish and they do not like those ore rock better 
than before. Have tried other rock and it good 
enough. 

hope you come soon. Those thing Sano Saito 
think you should know he do not know if he should 
write. Some time those thing better not he write 
on paper. 

‘^Your faithful truly and obedient servant, 

“Sano Saito.” 

The second letter from his faithful servant puz- 
zled Van de Water much more than the first. The 
first he had figured out, and understood, while the 
meaning of the second was beyond comprehension. 

The next mail brought a still more amazing com- 
munication from the persistent Sano Saito, and 
which read as follows: 

“Yamo-Ho-Uchi, 
“July 2nd, 1913. 

“Mr. Hoble Van de Water. 

“Honorable Master : — I already write you those 
letter. I observe the fish more closely and Sano 
Saito think they like the new rock best. They pay 
not much attention to Australian ore. 

“I think best to write of the Honorable Princess. 
The chief and his squaw they both dead, and gone 
to Happy Hunting Ground — say Seepa Zata. 

211 


IBtotfietst 


Honorable Princess sbe dig in the dirt and 
find old chest of her mother. She find in it those 
paper of her father. Seepa Zata real princess now. 
She very happy and all time want to see Great 
White Chief. 

^^Those thing Sano Saito want to tell he do not 
know yet if he write on paper. If your Honorable 
Highness is long lingering you hotter tell him if 
he write it. 

am thinking all the time those ideal rose you 
should see. 

‘^Your much loyal and obedient servant, 

^^Sano Saito.” 

Hoble Van de Water left Molybdenite City on 
the next hus that connected with the trains of the 
Transcontinental Kailway, and upon reaching Se- 
attle wired Sano Saito to meet him at Xedni for 
the evening train. 

Stepping from the Pullman, he held out his hand 
to the waiting Jap and, with his brilliant smile, 
greeted him. 

The Japanese boy grasped his outstretched hand 
in both of his and then, without warning, dropped 
to the plank platform, crossed his arms on his breast 
and gave Van de Water the salutation of Japan. 
His forehead touched the rough plank. ^^Sensei 
Sayonara !” he murmured. Immediately after which 
he relieved his master of his bag and at Van de 
Water’s suggestion they left the trunks to follow, 
the next morning, on the stage. 

Van de Water took the wheel, and it was glorious, 
212 


'Brotjjets 


as he expressed it, to feel the car take on life as it 
sped away toward Mountain Home. 

The soft twilight lingered and Van de Water, 
breathing again the forest laden air, saw the beloved 
myriad shades of green — the clinging moss, the 
ferns, the cedars, hemlocks and the firs ; the massive 
heaven-high mountain peaks, the eloquence of which 
established faith in a divine power ; and heard again 
the familiar rushing of turbulent mountain streams. 

The splendor of the scenery again charmed his 
senses with melody, and Hoble Van de Water knew 
the happiness and peace he had left for so long. 
The knowledge surely came to him that interwoven 
with the love for his forests was Seepa Zata, the 
Princess. The little girl who had always been, in 
his mind, a part of his forests, and who by showing 
her love and loyalty to him, in the manner in which 
she had, had unconsciously woven herself around 
his heart. Surely there could be no greater happi- 
ness for him than to make the Princess his own. 
His thoughts of the past year of nostalgia and strife 
brought home to him his need of Mountain Home 
and his Princess. 

Sano Saito informed him of the mail awaiting 
him which Van de Water had forbidden him to for- 
ward; told him of the spring-time and also of the 
summer roses, but no mention was made of the sub- 
ject of which he did not think best to write. 

Ascending the road to Mountain Home, Van de 
Water complimented Sano Saito as to the favorable 
appearance of the place in general, and as he stepped 
to the terrace, throwing his gauntlet gloves into the 
machine, and ascended the steps, he advised Sano 
213 


IBrotSerg 

Saito that nothing would he required before morn- 
ing. 

Stopping for a second to look at the magnificent 
roses everywhere evident and to breathe again of the 
fresh mountain invigorating air, he passed thru the 
large, heavy, rough plank door as it swung open at 
his touch. 




214 


CHAPTEE XXYIII 


BROTHERS 

“Xew York City, 
‘^June 25th, 1913. 

Dear Van de Water : — I received your very 
welcome letter from Australia, but as you gave me 
no address, until the present time, I could not write 
you before. 

^^It is now nearing the time for your return to 
Mountain Home, after your many months of absence, 
and I wish to let you know of our good fortune. 

^^We have, in our home, the most beautiful baby 
boy now nearly three months old, that one ever had 
the good fortune to possess. It is needless to men- 
tion how pleased I am, and Geraldine is the hap- 
piest woman in the world with her new possession. 

^^It is frightfully warm here, and I shall send 
Geraldine and the boy into the mountains, for a 
time, to escape the terrible heat. 

^^Geraldine is looking the best I have ever seen 
her. Her western mountain vacation last year did 
her worlds of good, in every way, and with your 
permission I want to send her to Mountain Home 
again next year. 

^^We missed you greatly last holiday time, and 
Christmas did not seem quite like Christmas without 
215 


TBtotftets! 

you. Be sure and come in December, as we shall 
expect you. 

^^Hoping to hear from you at an early date, and 
that this finds you well and happy, I am, 

‘^As ever, your friend, 

^Taul Gibson.” 

Noble Van de Water sat a very long time staring 
at the beautiful life-size painting on the opposite 
wall, which a very distinguished New York artist 
had started to execute nearly ten months previous, 
and which had arrived, during his absence, together 
with instructions to Sano Saito to hang it in that 
particular spot. 

As Van de Water looked at the exceedingly beau- 
tiful portrait he knew that it was one of the artistes 
true inspirations. The simple gowu in which Ger- 
aldine had been painted brought out the gold gloss 
in her dark chestnut hair. It gradually disappeared 
into a dark background, leaving her beautiful face in 
high relief. The oval contour, the curved lips and 
the dimpled chin were all there in all their glorious 
beauty; but the shaded eyes unconsciously showed 
the troubled soul. It was a portrait of Geraldine 
much older in years and experience. 

The artist seemed to have passed by her obvious 
youth and divined her in her maturity. 

When Sano Saito came, in the early dawn of the 
morning, his master was still there, hut the faithful 
servant being unnoticed he took his departure as 
silently as he came. 

The seconds, minutes and hours passed ; the dawn 
gave way to mellow light, and the sun creeping 
216 


TBtotf)et0 


higher and higher shone thru the high set windows, 
and directly on the beautiful portrait until it was 
a golden glow. 

The door from the garden opened quietly, and a 
slightly copper-tinted face showed thru. The door 
opened wider and the figure, with moccasined feet, 
came stealthily and silently forward, passed by Van 
de Water, straight to the glowing portrait, and with 
a glistening hunting knife, ground to the point of a 
needle and the sharpness of a razor, slashed the beau- 
tiful picture right and left, into a hundred strips! 
A cry escaped Van de Water as he sprang to his 
feet, but too late 1 

He at once recognized, in the beautiful tall 
straight figure, Seepa Zata, grown much more beau- 
tiful than ever — but what was that upon her back ? 

Surely not a papoose! 

Seepa Zata turned, the Hungarian opal at her 
throat flashing molten liquid fire ; her large luminous 
eyes looking pleadingly into his, and as she deftly 
and quickly removed the child from her back, 
walked silently and slowly toward Van de Water 
and, looking straight into his horror-stricken face, 
placed the beautiful eyed child in his arms, as she 
quietly and softly said, ''Your son!^^ 


THE END. 


217 



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